Our Zea Heart
The heart of our brand is Kunzea ambigua – a native Australian bush that flourishes in the pristine wilderness of North-East Tasmania.
We are committed to cultivating the natural therapeutic properties of this extraordinary Australian native plant, while also protecting the natural ecosystem in which it grows and thrives.
We endeavour to unearth the full medicinal potential of Kunzea and use this knowledge to make a positive impact in the lives of people throughout Australia and the world.
WILD HARVESTED AND DISTILLED IN TASMANIA
ORGANICALLY AND SUSTAINABLY SOURCED
NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES
AROMATICALLY UPLIFTING AND INVIGORATING
Why Australian Kunzea?
Tasmania’s Best Kept Natural Secret!
Australian Kunzea is the signature ingredient at Zea. In fact, the name Zea (pronounced zee-ah) is a contraction of the word Kunzea.
Kunzea ambigua, also known as ‘White Cloud’, ‘Tasmanian Kunzea’, ‘Zea Oil’ and ‘Tick Bush’, is a tall shrub that grows up to three metres in height.
It is a rare genus of plant that is endemic to Australasia and is native to the cooler coastal areas of Australia (Southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania)
It is a member of Myrtaceae (Myrtle family), and flourishes in the pristine wilderness of North-East Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands, producing small creamy-white, honey-scented flowers in the midst of Spring.
At Zea, we primarily use the Kunzea ambigua plant for its pure oil extract in our Zea Relief, Zea Essentials and Zea Active ranges. It has a naturally pleasant aroma with clean, fresh and invigorating undertones.
We also proudly produce Kunzea Honey in our Zea Gourmet range and we are in the early stages of using its dried leaves for cooking - a natural flavour enhancer perfect for a succulent, mid-winter roast.
Tasmania’s Best Kept Natural Secret!
Australian Kunzea is the signature ingredient at Zea. In fact, the name Zea (pronounced zee-ah) is a contraction of the word Kunzea.
Kunzea ambigua, also known as ‘White Cloud’, ‘Tasmanian Kunzea’, ‘Zea Oil’ and ‘Tick Bush’, is a tall shrub that grows up to three metres in height.
It is a rare genus of plant that is endemic to Australasia and is native to the cooler coastal areas of Australia (Southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania)
Tasmania’s Best Kept Natural Secret!
Australian Kunzea is the signature ingredient at Zea. In fact, the name Zea (pronounced zee-ah) is a contraction of the word Kunzea.
Kunzea ambigua, also known as ‘White Cloud’, ‘Tasmanian Kunzea’, ‘Zea Oil’ and ‘Tick Bush’, is a tall shrub that grows up to three metres in height.
It is a rare genus of plant that is endemic to Australasia and is native to the cooler coastal areas of Australia (Southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania)
Kunzea Essential Oil
Australian Kunzea Oil is the key active ingredient in our signature range of Zea Relief products.
It is considered to be a natural treasure when it comes to Australian native oils. In fact, some health and wellness professionals believe it has the potential to be one of the greatest essential oil Australia has ever produced!
While several oils can lay claim to similar benefits to that of Kunzea, it is the high content of several important C15 compounds in Kunzea ambigua that give it its special therapeutic benefits. A typical composition is as follows:
• Alpha-Pinene 35-52%
• 1,8 Cineole 9-16%
• Alpha-Terpineol 2%
• Bicyclogermacrene 4-5%
• Globulol 7-11%
• Viridiflorol 7-12%
• Calominene 1-2%
Another reason why Kunzea is superior to other essential oils is due its unique biochemical qualities. Its two major constituents, alpha-pinene and 1,8 cineole, are well studied for their benefits in treating respiratory conditions. In addition, Kunzea has a much milder sensation when applied to the skin, and is relatively safe to use topically as it is largely considered a non-irritant.
Several sesquiterpene constituents within Kunzea are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making it an an ideal active ingredient in products such as the Kunzea Pain Relief Cream.
Until recently, the benefits of Kunzea had been kept relatively secret, however, studies continue to be conducted worldwide to determine the full potential of Kunzea Oil and the key components within the pure essential oil.
To learn more about its therapeutic benefits, read our blog post "15 Benefits and Uses of Kunzea Oil":
Why Kunzea Oil
While Kunzea is similar to various other plants in the Myrtaceae (Myrtle) family, there are 3 notable reasons why we choose to use it as the key active ingredient in many of our Zea products. They are as follows:
1. SCIENCE - A higher content of active constituents embedded within the oil that are known for their antimicrobial, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
2. SCENT - A clean, fresh, invigorating aroma that is considered by many to be pleasantly reminiscent of the Australian bush, and less overpowering than other essential oils.
3. SAFETY - A non-irritant that has a milder sensation when applied topically to the skin.
Kunzea Oil can be identified as one of nature’s most effective multi-use oils. If you haven’t used it before, we strongly encourage you to give this remarkable essential oil a try!
What Is Kunzea Essential Oil Used For?
Kunzea Oil, and it's the embedded constituents, boast a myriad of uses and benefits. Predominantly for its anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, soothing and decongesting properties.
However, despite being used for centuries by native cultures, the wide-ranging uses of this wonderfully therapeutic oil have only just begun to emerge in the wider community.
In comparison to other essential oils, the medicinal potential of Kunzea Oil is still in its infancy and there is still so much to learn. However, the combination of both anecdotal and scientific evidence, and the increase in new studies being conducted in recent years, there are several proven and promising therapeutic uses of Kunzea Oil.
This has begun to attract the attention of health and wellness professionals across the globe.
Botanical name: Kunzea ambigua
Common name(s): Kunzea, Australian Kunzea, Tick Bush, Tasmanian Kunzea, White Cloud, Ducane Kunzea, White Kunzea, Zea
Country of Origin: North-East Tasmania, Australia
Indigenous Land Name: Pyemmairrener land
Family: Myrtaceae
Plant part: Leaves
Extraction method: Steam Distillation
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, soothing, decongesting.
Application: Aroma Diffuser, Steam Inhalation, Oil Burner, Bath, Topical (Diluted), Massage Oil
Strength of aroma: Medium
Aromatic scent: A pleasant, slightly medicinal scent with clean, fresh, invigorating undertone and a hint of spice.
Safety Information: No known contraindications
Kunzea Oil – Production
Currently, 2-3 tonnes of Kunzea Oil is produced nationally per year. The majority of which is wild-harvested in North East Tasmania. However, times are changing and the demand for Kunzea Oil is growing.
In recent years significant investment and efforts have been made to increase supply. New Kunzea crop plantations have been established to expand cultivating capacity and standardise the product.
At Zea, we want to bring the benefits of Kunzea Oil to the wider community, but we also want to protect the sustainability of the plant. Every care is taken to nurture and support its growth, particularly as it can take up to 36 years for the plant to mature!
Harvesting this wonderful Australian native is a community affair, with the initial harvest done by hand. Once the plant is fully mature, it is sustainably harvested twice a year at specific times to ensure the quality of the oil. What’s more, at Zea, all the Kunzea Oil we supply and use in our Kunzea product range has been organically sourced and is free from harmful pesticides.
As soon as the plant has been harvested, it is steam distilled to retain its unique therapeutic properties. Steam distillation involves careful extraction and isolation of the essential oil from the Kunzea plant. The steam vaporises the plant’s volatile compounds, which eventually go through a condensation and collection process. It’s a very natural process—even the water used as part of distillation is taken from the nearby underground spring.
The initial distilling takes around 25-30 minutes, at which point you can smell the beautiful and refreshing aroma, reminiscent of the Tassie wilderness!
The second part of the distillation process takes up to 3 hours. Research indicates that increasing the length of distillation of Kunzea Oil to about 3 hours, results in a higher percentage of active components within the oil (such as viridiflorol), which gives it its unique anti-inflammatory properties.
Currently, 2-3 tonnes of Kunzea Oil is produced nationally per year. The majority of which is wild-harvested in North East Tasmania. However, times are changing and the demand for Kunzea Oil is growing.
In recent years significant investment and efforts have been made to increase supply. New Kunzea crop plantations have been established to expand cultivating capacity and standardise the product.
At Zea, we want to bring the benefits of Kunzea Oil to the wider community, but we also want to protect the sustainability of the plant. Every care is taken to nurture and support its growth, particularly as it can take up to 36 years for the plant to mature!
Harvesting this wonderful Australian native is a community affair, with the initial harvest done by hand. Once the plant is fully mature, it is sustainably harvested twice a year at specific times to ensure the quality of the oil. What’s more, at Zea, all the Kunzea Oil we supply and use in our Kunzea product range has been organically sourced and is free from harmful pesticides.
Currently, 2-3 tonnes of Kunzea Oil is produced nationally per year. The majority of which is wild-harvested in North East Tasmania. However, times are changing and the demand for Kunzea Oil is growing.
In recent years significant investment and efforts have been made to increase supply. New Kunzea crop plantations have been established to expand cultivating capacity and standardise the product.
At Zea, we want to bring the benefits of Kunzea Oil to the wider community, but we also want to protect the sustainability of the plant. Every care is taken to nurture and support its growth, particularly as it can take up to 36 years for the plant to mature!
Harvesting this wonderful Australian native is a community affair, with the initial harvest done by hand. Once the plant is fully mature, it is sustainably harvested twice a year at specific times to ensure the quality of the oil. What’s more, at Zea, all the Kunzea Oil we supply and use in our Kunzea product range has been organically sourced and is free from harmful pesticides.
Our Process
Grow
Kunzea ambigua grows wild in the pristine wilderness of North-East Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands
Harvest
It is sustainably harvested at the right time of year to enhance therapeutic properties of the oil
Distil
The leaves of the Kunzea ambigua plant are steam distilled to produce the Kunzea Essential Oil
Test
We conduct extensive testing on every batch of Kunzea Oil to ensure its high quality and purity
Deliver
We ship the oil to our manufacturing facility to be developed into our much-loved Zea products