Kānuka Essential Oil
Kānuka Essential Oil
Kanuka Essential Oil (Kunzea ericoides)
Kanuka Essential Oil (Kunzea ericoides) is steam-distilled from the leaves of the plant, sourced from Coromandel, New Zealand, producing a pale green to yellow liquid with a characteristic, pleasant aroma. Traditionally used by Māori communities, this treasured New Zealand native is highly valued in natural skincare and aromatherapy.
Kanuka is widely used in products designed to support irritated, blemish-prone or sensitive skin, making it a popular addition to creams, balms, soaps and massage oil formulations. In aromatherapy, it's appreciated for its calming, grounding effects, commonly diffused or inhaled to help support relaxation and respiratory comfort. In massage blends, it's often chosen to help soothe tired muscles and support post-exercise recovery.
This one deserves a little extra care: Kanuka Essential Oil is a flammable liquid, a skin irritant and a skin sensitiser, and may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways. Dilute before topical use, patch test first, and never ingest.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Kunzea ericoides |
| Plant Part Used | Leaf |
| Extraction Method | Steam Distillation |
| Origin | New Zealand (Coromandel) |
| Purity | 100% Pure, Natural, Undiluted |
| Appearance | Pale Green/Yellow Liquid |
| Refractive Index | 1.475 @ 20°C |
| Specific Gravity | 0.890 @ 20°C |
| Optical Rotation | +23.5° |
| Solubility | Insoluble in Water |
| Shelf Life | 2 Years (Properly Stored) |
Uses ▼
Diffuser & aromatherapy blends
Diffused or inhaled, Kanuka is appreciated for its calming, grounding effects, helping to create a peaceful atmosphere and support restful sleep.
Massage & bath blends
Diluted in a carrier oil, Kanuka is often chosen to help soothe tired muscles and support post-exercise recovery, thanks to its warming, comforting qualities.
Skincare blends
Well diluted, Kanuka is valued in creams, balms, soaps and skincare formulations for irritated, blemish-prone or sensitive skin.
Blends Well With
| Although essential oils blend well with one another, Kanuka oil goes particularly well with other essential oils such as cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, cypress, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and sandalwood. |
Usage & Formulation Guide ▼
For soap makers, natural perfumers and cosmetic formulators. These are starting points, not finished formulas — always confirm compliance, stability and safety for your own finished product before use. No current IFRA Standard specific to Kanuka could be located — see the IFRA Usage Guidelines document.
Fine Fragrance & Perfumery Accord
Kanuka's fresh, pleasant, slightly woody character works as a herbal top-to-heart note — try it at 2-4% of the fragrance concentrate, paired with Cypress and Cedarwood for an earthy New Zealand-inspired accord.
Skincare & Massage Oil Inclusion Rate
Given its skin-sensitisation classification, keep leave-on skincare and massage-oil inclusion conservative — around 1% of the total formulation. Always use fresh (not oxidised) oil and patch test the finished blend.
Aromatherapy & Diffuser Blend
For a calming, grounding blend, try 2 drops Kanuka with 2 drops Cedarwood and 1 drop Lavender; for a fresh, clean blend, combine 2 drops Kanuka with 2 drops Eucalyptus and 1 drop Lemon.
Cold-Process Soap
Kanuka performs well in cold-process soap at 1-3% of total oil weight, giving a fresh, herbal-woody scent, and pairs nicely with Cypress or Sandalwood.
Product Documents SPECIFICATIONSSAFETY DATA SHEETIFRA GUIDELINESUSER GUIDE |
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Kanuka Essential Oil (Kunzea ericoides)
Kanuka Essential Oil (Kunzea ericoides) is steam-distilled from the leaves of the plant, sourced from Coromandel, New Zealand, producing a pale green to yellow liquid with a characteristic, pleasant aroma. Traditionally used by Māori communities, this treasured New Zealand native is highly valued in natural skincare and aromatherapy.
Kanuka is widely used in products designed to support irritated, blemish-prone or sensitive skin, making it a popular addition to creams, balms, soaps and massage oil formulations. In aromatherapy, it's appreciated for its calming, grounding effects, commonly diffused or inhaled to help support relaxation and respiratory comfort. In massage blends, it's often chosen to help soothe tired muscles and support post-exercise recovery.
This one deserves a little extra care: Kanuka Essential Oil is a flammable liquid, a skin irritant and a skin sensitiser, and may be fatal if swallowed and enters the airways. Dilute before topical use, patch test first, and never ingest.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Kunzea ericoides |
| Plant Part Used | Leaf |
| Extraction Method | Steam Distillation |
| Origin | New Zealand (Coromandel) |
| Purity | 100% Pure, Natural, Undiluted |
| Appearance | Pale Green/Yellow Liquid |
| Refractive Index | 1.475 @ 20°C |
| Specific Gravity | 0.890 @ 20°C |
| Optical Rotation | +23.5° |
| Solubility | Insoluble in Water |
| Shelf Life | 2 Years (Properly Stored) |
Uses ▼
Diffuser & aromatherapy blends
Diffused or inhaled, Kanuka is appreciated for its calming, grounding effects, helping to create a peaceful atmosphere and support restful sleep.
Massage & bath blends
Diluted in a carrier oil, Kanuka is often chosen to help soothe tired muscles and support post-exercise recovery, thanks to its warming, comforting qualities.
Skincare blends
Well diluted, Kanuka is valued in creams, balms, soaps and skincare formulations for irritated, blemish-prone or sensitive skin.
Blends Well With
| Although essential oils blend well with one another, Kanuka oil goes particularly well with other essential oils such as cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, cypress, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon and sandalwood. |
Usage & Formulation Guide ▼
For soap makers, natural perfumers and cosmetic formulators. These are starting points, not finished formulas — always confirm compliance, stability and safety for your own finished product before use. No current IFRA Standard specific to Kanuka could be located — see the IFRA Usage Guidelines document.
Fine Fragrance & Perfumery Accord
Kanuka's fresh, pleasant, slightly woody character works as a herbal top-to-heart note — try it at 2-4% of the fragrance concentrate, paired with Cypress and Cedarwood for an earthy New Zealand-inspired accord.
Skincare & Massage Oil Inclusion Rate
Given its skin-sensitisation classification, keep leave-on skincare and massage-oil inclusion conservative — around 1% of the total formulation. Always use fresh (not oxidised) oil and patch test the finished blend.
Aromatherapy & Diffuser Blend
For a calming, grounding blend, try 2 drops Kanuka with 2 drops Cedarwood and 1 drop Lavender; for a fresh, clean blend, combine 2 drops Kanuka with 2 drops Eucalyptus and 1 drop Lemon.
Cold-Process Soap
Kanuka performs well in cold-process soap at 1-3% of total oil weight, giving a fresh, herbal-woody scent, and pairs nicely with Cypress or Sandalwood.
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Product Documents SPECIFICATIONSSAFETY DATA SHEETIFRA GUIDELINESUSER GUIDE |
