Kunzea is one of my favourite oils for easing emotional pain.

Family: Myrtaceae

Synonyms: Tick bush, Ducane kunzea.

Aroma: Clean, fresh.

Colour: Pale to golden yellow.

Plant: Tall, up to 5 metres shrub with small dark green leaves on long arching thin branches. Flowers are small, white (rarely pink) and profuse being 1.5 cm in diameter and crowded along short lateral bracts.

Main Growing Areas: North East Tasmania, South East mainland Australia.

Major Constituents: alpha-pinene, 1,8 cineole, globulol, viridiflorol, biocyclogermacrene.

Interesting snippets: Native animals seek relief from infestations of ticks by brushing against, sleeping or lying under the trees.

Part of Plant used / Extraction: Leaves, stems and branches by steam distillation.

Therapeutic actions: Gout, insect bites, cuts, minor burns, muscular aches and pains, arthritis, flu, shingles, eczema.

Emotional and Spiritual: Nervous tension, stress, mild anxiety.
Robbi Zeck writes kunzea helps to defuse deep emotional pain that has grown solid as a result of suppression, creating internal blocks in the body’s meridian system. Pain and crisis are part of the human cycle and mindful awareness can transform pain. Pain in the body indicates that something is wrong. Pain can also activate growth and a potential for healing. Pain is often the opening through which you can learn to trust yourself and see yourself differently. Learn to breathe your spirit fully into life. Use your breath to move you through the fear of pain and the pain of fear. There is no such thing as an event or a pain without a feeling associated with it. Where there is pain in the body, there is always an emotion attached to the pain. Kunzea assists in the release of physical and emotional pain and in transforming the immediate shock of accidents.

Fragrant Change Healing Card: I acknowledge the pain I feel and gently realease it.

Contemplations for the Soul:

Have you been deeply hurt by the words or actions of others?
Have you done things that have hurt you on an emotional or spiritual level?
Have you suppressed or buried the pain so as not to feel it?
It’s time to acknowledge your feelings, forgive those who caused the pain and let it go.
Release those who are causing you pain in your life.
Find a place where you feel safe. This may include visiting a therapist or speaking to a trusted friend or family member.
Regain your confidence. Know that fear and pain are a part of life but dealing with them when they occur instead of supressing them will allow you to move on and enjoy life.

Safety: Non-irritating, non-sensitising, non-toxic.

Sources: Hodges C. Contemplations for the Soul (2016)

Hodges C, Fragrant Change Healing Cards (2015)

Webb, M, Kunzea Essential Oil Profile. Aromatherapy Today, Vol.21 (2002)
Zeck R, The Blossoming Heart. Aroma Tours (2004)