Scientific Name:
Kunzea ambigua
Common Names:
White Cloud, White Kunzea, Tick Bush
Suitable to treat arthritis, muscular aches & pains, strains & sprains, and symptoms of flu.
Kunzea ambigua
Common Names:
White Cloud, White Kunzea, Tick Bush
Suitable to treat arthritis, muscular aches & pains, strains & sprains, and symptoms of flu.
About the Plant:
Family: Myrtaceae;
Distribution: NE Tasmania, cooler coastal regions of Victoria and SE New South Wales;
Description: A hardy and adaptable shrub that can grow up to 5m tall &/or wide in sandy soils near the coast. Dark green, soft leaves are linear (lanceolate) in shape, and the long, thin branches carry a profusion of small, delicate, white (or very rarely, pink) flowers.
Distribution: NE Tasmania, cooler coastal regions of Victoria and SE New South Wales;
Description: A hardy and adaptable shrub that can grow up to 5m tall &/or wide in sandy soils near the coast. Dark green, soft leaves are linear (lanceolate) in shape, and the long, thin branches carry a profusion of small, delicate, white (or very rarely, pink) flowers.
About the Essential Oil:
Oil Extraction Method: Steam distillation from aerial parts;
Aroma: Pleasant - if a little heady - with crisp, Eucalypt-like middle & top notes and earthy, herbaceous bottom notes;
Chemical Composition: Mostly mono- and sesqui-terpenes;
Application Method: Dilute in a topical oil blend or neat on the skin; Aromatic bath blend;
Cautions & Contra-indications: Generally, none. However, as with any oil, people with sensitive skin should do a patch test before using the oil in larger quantities.
Aroma: Pleasant - if a little heady - with crisp, Eucalypt-like middle & top notes and earthy, herbaceous bottom notes;
Chemical Composition: Mostly mono- and sesqui-terpenes;
Application Method: Dilute in a topical oil blend or neat on the skin; Aromatic bath blend;
Cautions & Contra-indications: Generally, none. However, as with any oil, people with sensitive skin should do a patch test before using the oil in larger quantities.
Therapeutic Properties:
This Australian Essential Oil is officially registered by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (AUSTL 72143) for the following therapeutic uses:
- Temporary relief from pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism
- Relief from influenza symptoms
- Relief from muscular aches and pains
- Helps to relieve stress, nervous tension and mild anxiety
Additionally, this oil has been used anecdotally the following ways:
Personal Experience:
- As a disinfectant for a number of common, potentially disease-causing microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans
- As a room deodoriser
- Temporary relief of the itching and pain of insect bites
- As a treatment for eczema, dermatitis and other skin irritations
- Relief from chillblains
- Temporary relief from headaches and migraines
- As an anti-inflammatory and to promote rapid repair of soft tissue injuries, such as strains and sprains
This is probably my favourite essential oil! My first experience with it was back in 2003, when I badly sprained my ankle. My husband and I were just about to go on holidays, and the only oil I had on hand was Kunzea. So, I applied 3-5 drops of the oil neat on my severely swollen and bruised ankle and foot, several times a day. Considering the grade of sprain that I had, the swelling and bruising cleared remarkably quickly! Even the physiotherapist whom I saw once I was back from holidays was amazed!
Clinically, I use this oil along with Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques on clients that have inflammation with oedema (for example: corked thighs, ankle sprains, torn muscles), as well as on clients with trigger points, particularly in the Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapula muscles of the upper back and neck. I have found it to be a wonderful oil that I can use in small quantities neat on the skin, without any prior preparation, to help relieve the pain and inflammation of many soft tissue injuries, as well as a general muscle relaxant.
Clinically, I use this oil along with Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques on clients that have inflammation with oedema (for example: corked thighs, ankle sprains, torn muscles), as well as on clients with trigger points, particularly in the Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapula muscles of the upper back and neck. I have found it to be a wonderful oil that I can use in small quantities neat on the skin, without any prior preparation, to help relieve the pain and inflammation of many soft tissue injuries, as well as a general muscle relaxant.
References:
1. Guba, Ron (Ed.). "A New Australian Native." Essential News, v19. Essential Therapeutics, Hallam, Vic. 2006.
2. "Kunzea ambigua" - Australian National Botanic Gardens. Accessed on 03/04/13.
3. "Kunzea ambigua (Sm) Druce" - PlantNET, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Accessed on 03/04/13.
4. Webb, Mark. Bush Sense: Australian essential oils and aromatic compounds. Griffin Press, Adelaide. 2000.
Edited on Fri, 17/10/14: Minor changes to link HTML codes & formatting.
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