Kunzea Oil

Generic name: Kunzea Ambigua
Brand names: Poverty Bush, Southern Spring Flower, Tasmanian Spring Flower, Tick Bush, White Cloud, White Kunzea

Usage of Kunzea Oil

The essential oils from plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family (eg, tea tree oil) have inhibited production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, prostaglandin E2, interleukin 1 (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)

Ducane kunzea oil (1 mL per milliliter of K. ambigua liquid) for inhalation is listed by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a therapeutic substance for treating symptoms of influenza/flu, arthritis pain, muscular aches and pains, rheumatic pain, nervous tension, stress, and mild anxiety.(Ducane 2015) K. ambigua is also available for topical application. Advisory statements by the Australian TGA for K. ambigua essential oil topical products note that undiluted oils should not be applied directly to the skin unless formulated in a cream base.(TGA 2012)

Antifungal activity

In vitro data

Activity against fungal pathogens has been reported for the related K. ericoides oil.(Chen 2016)

Antimicrobial activity

In vitro data

The antimicrobial activity of various essential oils, including kunzea oil (from Australia), were tested in vitro against 13 common hospital-acquired pathogenic organisms of the oral cavity and skin (eg, MRSA, other staphylococci and streptococcal spp., C. krusei and other Candida spp.), as well as against commercially available reference strains. Kunzea oil showed considerable efficacy with inhibition zones ranging from 9 to 18 mm on agar diffusion tests. The largest effective zones ranged from 16 to 50 mm for thyme white, lemon, lemongrass, and cinnamon oils compared with 0 to 12 mm for sandalwood, whereas controls ranged from 14 to 16 mm for povidone iodine, chlorhexidine, and hydrogen peroxide; ethanol concentrations of 70% reached a maximum of 9 mm in diameter.(Warnke 2009)

Antiviral activity

Clinical data

A group of researchers evaluated a honey preparation containing the related K. ericoides for antiviral activity.(Semprini 2017, Semprini 2019) In the single-blind, open-label study, no difference was reported regarding efficacy between the honey and the comparator (acyclovir 5%) in the treatment of herpes simplex labialis.(Semprini 2019)

Cancer

In vitro data

Of the 6 kunzeachromones (A through F) identified from an extract of dried leaves, 4 (A, B, D, and F) were the first examples of C-glucosylchromone digalloyl esters. Because other polyphenols with a galloyl unit (ie, epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG] from green tea) have possible chemopreventive effects against cancer, kunzeachromones A, B, D, and F were tested in vitro for possible anti–tumor-promoting activity via Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) test. All 4 chromones inhibited EBV-EA activation at least as effectively as EGCG without exhibiting cytotoxicity.(Ito 2004)

Dermatological effects

Animal data

A randomized, controlled-comparator clinical study conducted in 37 horses with localized pastern dermatitis evaluated the effect of an ointment formulation containing kunzea oil 20% compared with that of the same ointment formulation containing a control (ketoconazole 2%). Each ointment formulation contained zinc oxide (5%), salicylic acid (5%), precipitated sulfur (5%), triethanolamine (1%), and cod liver oil (10%), and was applied twice daily for 7 to 28 days. Horses receiving kunzea oil experienced significantly better healing of total lesion area (P<0.01) and total lesion scores (P<0.05) by day 7, with 7 of the 11 (64%) in the kunzea group recovering fully, compared with 2 of 10 (20%) in the control group. Two of the remaining 4 horses in the intervention group recovered fully within 21 additional days of treatment. Of the 6 horses in the control group that crossed over to kunzea oil after day 7, five (83%) recovered fully within 28 total days (mean, 14 days).(Thomas 2009b)

Clinical data

In an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, comparator trial (N=30), adults with mild to moderate psoriasis (10% or less of body surface area) experienced no statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy scores (51% and 60%) or pruritus scores (77% and 72%) with a kunzea oil 20% formulation and active control, respectively, both of which contained liquor carbonis detergens 5% and salicylic acid 3%. No adverse events were reported.(Thomas 2015)

A group of researchers has published clinical studies evaluating a honey preparation containing the related K. ericoides in rosacea(Braithwaite 2015) and acne(Semprini 2016) (as well as for antiviral activity).(Semprini 2017, Semprini 2019) Positive findings were reported for kanuka-containing honey in reducing severity scores in rosacea and acne; however, both studies were single-blind, and attribution of efficacy to honey alone rather than kunzea chemical constituents cannot be ruled out.

Insecticide/Repellent

In vitro data

The insecticidal effects of an extract mixture from the leaves and stems of K. ambigua and Kunzea baxterii were compared with the effects of a natural pyrethrum 25% extract. Extracts from each Kunzea spp. provided similar proportions of the biologically active epimers and conformers of tetramethylcyclohexenedione. For the insecticidal Kunzea spp. extract mixture, median lethal dose (LD50) by topical application to mustard beetles, aphids, thrips, and houseflies was 1 mcg, 3.9 mcg, 15 mcg, and 10 mcg, respectively, per insect, compared with 0.3 mcg, 3.8 mcg, 7.9 mcg, and 0.01 mcg, respectively, per insect for pyrethrum. The insecticidal activity of the Kunzea spp. extract was moderate and comparable to that of pyrethrum extract.(Khambay 2002)

Clinical data

The potential mosquito repellent activity of kunzea oil was investigated by measuring the total number of landings (repellency) and bites (complete protection time) from female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on treated and untreated forearms of volunteers (N=4). Kunzea oil (40%, 60%, and 100%) was tested against citronella (40% and 60%) and diethyltoluamide (DEET) (5.2%). Although there was significantly more repellent effect in the treatment group versus the untreated control (P<0.05), no significant difference was noted among the 3 kunzea oil concentrations, and mean repellency remained below 80%. All kunzea oil concentrations had similar repellency to citronella 40%, but significantly less activity than citronella 60% (P<0.05) and DEET (P<0.05). Complete protection time was approximately 5 times greater for DEET than for the other products. The addition of vanillin to kunzea oil did not affect mean repellency.(Thomas 2009a)

Kunzea Oil side effects

Auto-oxidation of alpha-pinene products can cause skin sensitization; avoidance of old or oxidized oils is recommended. To avoid oxidation, store in a dark, airtight container under refrigeration.(Tisserand 2014)

Before taking Kunzea Oil

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. No data are available; pregnant or lactating women were excluded from clinical trials.

How to use Kunzea Oil

Clinical studies are lacking to provide kunzea oil dosing recommendations.

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.(Thomas 2015, Thomas 2009b)

Warnings

No data.

What other drugs will affect Kunzea Oil

None well documented.

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