Kunzea Oil
Scientific Name(s): Kunzea ambigua.
Common Name(s): Poverty bush, Southern spring flower, Tasmanian spring flower, Tick bush, White cloud, White kunzea
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 21, 2022.
Clinical Overview
Use
Experimental studies indicate a moderate antimicrobial effect of K. ambigua essential oil on common hospital-acquired pathogenic organisms of the oral cavity and skin (eg, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], other staphylococci and streptococcal spp., Candida krusei and other Candida spp.). Insecticidal activity of the Kunzea spp. extract at varying concentrations (40% to 100%) has shown moderate repellent activity comparable to that of pyrethrum 25% extract and citronella 40%.
Dosing
In clinical trials, kunzea oil 20% in dermatological formulations demonstrated no effects on mild to moderate psoriasis in humans, but demonstrated efficacy on pastern dermatitis in equines.
Contraindications
Data are limited; sensitivity to essential oils from cultivars of the Myrtaceae family.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Application of oxidized essential oils to the skin may cause skin sensitization.
Toxicology
No data.
Botany
K. ambigua is a shrub in the Myrtaceae family native to the coastal strip and adjacent plateaus in the southeastern Australian states of Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. It often forms dense thickets, and although closely identified with Leptospermum, it is easily distinguished by its long, protruding stamens. Its growth habit is variable on sandstone or granite-based soils, reaching a height of 2 to 3 m (6.5 to 10 ft) and consisting of stiff, upright, spreading branches with fibrous, furrowed bark. Masses of spreading stamens give the flowers a fluffy appearance. Small leaves approximately 1 cm long and narrow-linear in shape are produced on short stalks.CANBR 1978, Thomas 2009, USDA 2015
History
K. ambigua was named for the German botanist Gustav Kunze (1793-1851) and from the Latin "ambigua," meaning doubtful or uncertain.2 Commonly known as "tick bush," it has been described anecdotally as a bush under which animals sleep to seek refuge from biting insects. Essential oils have been used as insecticides and antiseptics, and as a treatment for wounds, diarrhea, cold, and inflammation.Ito 2004, Kasajima 2008, Thomas 2009
Chemistry
The essential oils from plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family (eg, tea tree oil) have inhibited production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, PGE2, IL-1, and IL-8. They have also exhibited antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and possibly anti-infective effects for some dermatologic conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, pastern dermatitis in horses, and Malassezia spp. skin infections. Modulation of vasodilation and plasma extravasation has been demonstrated by components of tea tree essential oil, such as terpinen-4-ol.Thomas 2015
Composition of essential oils varies based on the country of origin or cultivar. For example, 2 cultivars collected in November 2005 from the campus of the University of Tasmania contained variable concentrations of 1,8-cineole (5.6% vs 0%), viridiflorol (0.3% vs 3.9%), alpha-pinene (53.7% vs 7.3%), and spathulenol (1.3% vs 34.8%), among others.Thomas 2009, Warnke 2009 Common chemical constituents with the hi...
