Kunzea Tasmania FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Click on the question you want to know about below. If you have other questions not listed, please contact us.
Also look at our discover blog page with short articles about our products, Kunzea, and our Kunzea Tasmania business.

About Kunzea oil

So what's the fuss about Kunzea oil?

Tasmanian Kunzea Ambigua essential oil has amazing anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
Sometimes called 'tick bush', this native shrub grows wildly in the beautiful North East of Tasmania and on the islands. The leaves and stems of the shrubs are harvested, and the potent, pure oil extracted through steam distillation.
Tasmanian Kunzea Ambigua essential oil has been listed by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (AUST L 372260) for its relieving abilities - in relation to symptoms of mild arthritis/osteoarthritis, muscular aches, pains and soreness, colds and flu, and nervous tension, stress and mild anxiety.
While many more scientific tests on Kunzea are yet to be done, users of the oil also report many other pain relief and skin issue benefits.
The power and potential of this incredibly unique, natural product is still being understood. Those who have experienced the benefits of this oil have been captivated by its natural soothing and relieving properties.
Kunzea oil has a beautifully clean, native, medicinal aroma - the essence of the Tasmanian bush.

Why does Kunzea Ambigua essential oil provide relief?

Kunzea Ambigua essential oil contains high levels of specific compounds that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities. They work together to provide Kunzea its powerful ability to relieve pain and inflammation. Kunzea oil can be absorbed quickly through the skin to reach and work directly on the areas needing relief. Kunzea oil also has properties that are antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal and work to relieve the respiratory system.

Can I use Kunzea essential oil directly on my skin?

It is not usually recommended to use 'neat' on the skin, except if under medical advice. The pure oil is best used in room diffusers for a beautifully calming Tasmanian bush aroma and for respiratory relief. Otherwise, it is highly recommended that the oil is diluted (eg is a product ingredient) when used topically (on the skin).

Is Kunzea like tea tree oil?

Not really. Kunzea Ambigua and Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) are both part of the Myrtle (Myrtaceae) family, but so are more than 3000 other trees and shrubs. They also both belong to the Leptospermum genus, but again this includes around 100 different groupings of natives, which are all very different.
Kunzea Ambigua oil has a very different make up compared to tea tree oil. In fact only a small few of the many constituents are the same. And these few are significantly lower in concentration in tea tree oil compared to Kunzea oil. The therapeutic properties and benefits of all the different Kunzea oil constituents, and how they work together, make it quite unique.
Another key difference is that Kunzea oil is considered a non-irritant when applied to the skin, whereas for some people tea tree oil may not be well tolerated. Kunzea oil is also more mild and pleasant smelling.
So the oils themselves don't have much in common at all!

About Kunzea Tasmania products

What does 'extra strength' mean and how does it compare?

Our Kunzea Tasmania products that say 'extra strength' means that they contain 10% (100mg per gram) of Kunzea essential oil. This is up to double the strength of some other Kunzea containing products on the market, while still being very safe. Our products aren't double the price though! Given the amount of Kunzea oil in our products, and the small amount used, they are great value.

What's the difference between the lotion, cream, liniment and soothe oil?

A key point to note is that they are all ‘extra strength’ so they all have the same concentration of Kunzea oil in them. The choice is a personal preference.
Our Kunzea soothe oil and roll on liniment are oil blends and come in a serum pump or in a roll on bottle (great for taking with you). The soothe oil also has some other ingredients that enhance the skin soothing properties of Kunzea. Both are very multi-purpose options.
The cream and lotion are water-based products. The cream is a thicker version of the lotion and comes in the pot or tube. The lotion is lighter, comes in a pump pack (great to use at home), and is the most economical of all our topical products.
So the products have a different skin feel - an oil blend (liniment or soothe oil) versus the water-based cream or lotion; different methods of applying; and different sizes. They can all be used for a whole range of purposes and have the same concentration of Kunzea oil in them. It’s really your choice!
Please contact us if you’d like to discuss more. Click to buy now.

Do the Kunzea products feel burning on the skin?

No. Our Kunzea Tasmania products are non-burning. They will feel very neutral and soothing to the skin. Only some people report feeling a very gentle warming sensation once applied. This is most likely the body responding to the oil, rather than the oil itself. As with all products, it is wise to do a patch test first, especially if you have sensitive skin. It is not recommended that the 100% essential oil is applied undiluted (see more info in the Kunzea oil section above).

Are the products suitable for children, or when pregnant or breastfeeding?

Essential oils are classed as an alternative or complementary medicine and so we suggest if you are concerned, that you seek medical advice prior to use. There are currently no known contraindications for Kunzea oil, and we believe that these products are very safe for most people. With any new item however, it's a good idea to patch test upon first use. We keep the ingredients very simple and gentle for skin. The products don't burn and are non-toxic.
We recommend keeping them out of reach of children as they shouldn't be ingested.

Are Kunzea Tasmania products vegan friendly?

Yes! Our Kunzea Tasmania products contain no animal products or derivatives of. All ingredients are plant or mineral based.

Who makes the Kunzea Tasmania products?

The majority of our Kunzea Tasmania products are handmade by us (Kacey and Michael). We have a clean and efficient product development space, where we make our products in small batches to ensure superior freshness and good quality control. We get help to make our Kunzea cream now. It was getting too much to keep handmaking it all ourselves.

How are Kunzea Tasmania products tested?

We don't test on animals - we test on ourselves! Considerable time has gone into the careful development and trialling of all of our products before each formulation has been finalised.
We have also had our products tested for stability and shelf life, as well as to monitor Kunzea concentration over time. These tests have helped us to be confident in the safety and quality of what we offer.

Where are Kunzea Tasmania products sold?

We sell our Kunzea Tasmania products on our website (and over the phone). Products can be posted to anywhere in Australia.
On most Sundays during the warmer months you can find us at the Evandale markets in northern Tasmania. We also attend other Tassie events such as the Tasmanian Craft Fair and Agfest.
We have some businesses stocking and using our products too. See our stockists page for all their details.

How do I store Kunzea Tasmania products?

We recommend storing your products below 25 degrees and out of direct sunlight. As with most essential oils, Kunzea oil can deteriorate and lose some of its beneficial properties if heated or exposed to sunlight. Warmth can also cause some pressure to build up inside the product packaging as the Kunzea oil vaporises, which could get messy!
It is best to keep your Kunzea Tasmania products in a cool, dry, and preferably dark space. So perhaps places like your bathroom cupboard, medicine cabinet, desk drawer at work, or bedside table/drawer might be options.
Avoid leaving products in hot places like in the car or on window sills. In very warm weather you may chose to keep your products in the fridge door for short periods, until the temperature is more moderate.

Why might my product not look full to the brim?

Our Kunzea Tasmania formulated products are made using weight measures of each ingredient to ensure correct ingredient ratios. These products are also weight measured when filling the packaging and weights re-checked again, to ensure products contain the minimum weight (not including the packaging) listed on the label. So while the lotion for example might not appear to be full to the bottle brim, we can guarantee that it will contain (as a minimum) the weight of product listed on the label.

Why does the cream have a different version of the logo?

We have always handmade our entire Kunzea Tasmania product range ourselves. In mid-2023 it was getting too much to keep up. We decided to get help with our cream, so that we could manage things more easily. Our cream is still ‘extra strength’ formula; is the same volume and the same price. We just use a modified version of our logo because we’re getting help with making it now – but it’s still us and our product!

What's so great about the cream tube packaging?

Wherever we can we try to make choices that limit our impact on the environment. This is why we love our new cream tube packaging! Our cream tubes are 100% carbon neutral Australian manufactured. They’re made from recycled plastic and waste sugar cane material. They can also be recycled again following their use. While they cost us a little more, we think they’re well worth it!

Frequently asked questions

About Kunzea oil

About Kunzea Tasmania products

Other questions