Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua) Research

Latin Name: Kunzea ambigua

Family:  Myrtaceae

Kunzea is an Australian plant often called the tick bush that is a medium growing shrub with small fragrant flowers.  It has been used by local Aboriginal communities for tight muscles, joint pain, inflammation, and skin irritations.

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action.  This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIVIRAL

• Kunzea essential oil showed in vitro antimicrobial activity, some mosquito repelling activity in humans, and may be useful in treating skin fungal and bacterial infections based on a study on horses. From: Thomas, J. (2012). Kunzea oil: investigation of composition, bioactivity and therapeitic potential (Doctoral dissertation, University of Tasmania).
• Antibacterial activity of Australian tea tree, cajuput, niaouli, kanuka, manuka, and eucalyptus oil were assessed.  From:  Harkenthal, M., Reichling, J., Geiss, H. K., & Saller, R. (1999). Comparative study on the in vitro antibacterial activity of Australian tea tree oil, cajuput oil, niaouli oil, manuka oil, kanuka oil, and eucalyptus oil. Die Pharmazie, 54(6), 460-463.
• Australian tea tree oil, cajuput, niaouli, lema, kanuka, and manuka showed antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus.  From:  Christoph, F., Stahl-Biskup, E., & Kaulfers, P. M. (2001). Death kinetics of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to commercial tea tree oils sl. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 13(2), 98-102.
• Both 1,8-cineole and α-pinene constituents isolated from Vitex agnus-castus showed very high antimicrobial potency in vitro. From:  Stojković, D., Soković, M., Glamočlija, J., Džamić, A., Ćirić, A., Ristić, M., & Grubišić, D. (2011). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits and leaves essential oils. Food Chemistry, 128(4), 1017-1022.
• Alpha pinene showed antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial activity in vitro.  From:  Silva, A. C. R. D., Lopes, P. M., Azevedo, M. M. B. D., Costa, D. C. M., Alviano, C. S., & Alviano, D. S. (2012). Biological activities of a-pinene and β-pinene enantiomers. Molecules, 17(6), 6305-6316.
• Constituents isolated from a kunzea species showed antiviral activities in vitro. From: Bloor, S. J. (1992). Antiviral phloroglucinols from New Zealand kunzea species. Journal of natural products, 55(1), 43-47.

INSECTICIDAL / REPELLENT

• Multiple Australian plants have provided mosquito repelling activity in studies, including eucalyptus, tea tree, balm mint bush, and more. From: Webb, C. E. (2014). Insect repellents derived from Australian plants and implications for public health messages. Insect repellents handbook, 213.
• Isomers from two Kunzea plants showed insecticidal activities. From: Khambay, B. P., Beddie, D. G., & Simmonds, M. S. (2002). An insecticidal mixture of tetramethylcyclohexenedione isomers from Kunzea ambigua and Kunzea baxterii. Phytochemistry, 59(1), 69-71.
• Kunzea essential oil showed in vitro antimicrobial activity, some mosquito repelling activity in humans, and may be useful in treating skin fungal and bacterial infections based on a study on horses. From: Thomas, J. (2012). Kunzea oil: investigation of composition, bioactivity and therapeitic potential (Doctoral dissertation, University of Tasmania).
• Citronella and kunzea oils (with and without vanillin) were somewhat mosquito repellent on human volunteers but not as strongly as DEET. From: Thomas, J., Webb, C. E., Narkowicz, C., Jacobson, G. A., Peterson, G. M., Davies, N. W., & Russell, R. C. (2009). Evaluation of repellent properties of volatile extracts from the Australian native plant Kunzea ambigua against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culcidae). Journal of medical entomology, 46(6), 1387-1391.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

• Kunzea oil was as effective as tea tree oil in killing head lice in vitro. From: Williams, C. R., Webb, C. E., Orre, S., NAUNTON, M., & THOMAS, J. (2016). Can kunzea oil (Kunzea ambigua) control head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)?. Parasitology Open, 2.

SKIN / WOUNDS

• Kunzea essential oil showed in vitro antimicrobial activity, some mosquito repelling activity in humans, and may be useful in treating skin fungal and bacterial infections based on a study on horses. From: Thomas, J. (2012). Kunzea oil: investigation of composition, bioactivity and therapeitic potential (Doctoral dissertation, University of Tasmania).
• Horses showed reduced dermatitis with the treatment of a 20% kunzea oil compared to the placebo. From: Thomas, J., Narkowicz, C., Peterson, G. M., Jacobson, G. A., & Narayana, A. (2009). Randomised controlled trial of the treatment of pastern dermatitis with a formulation containing kunzea oil. Veterinary Record, 164(20), 619-623.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/18/19