Kānuka Essential Oil — Uses, Properties, Origin & Distillation
Extraction of essential oil: Slow Steam distillation
Certification standard: Certified organic
Kānuka Essential Oil — Origin and Quality
Kānuka essential oil is a pure concentrated oil that comes from the tiny, soft leaves of the kānuka tree. Kānuka is visually similar to mānuka, an untrained eye would struggle to identify the differences between the two species.
The aroma and composition of mānuka and kānuka oils are quite different. Kānuka has green notes and mānuka contains more of an earthy foundation. One is calming and the other has an awakening affect on the senses.
The quality of the oil depends on the distillation process and the quality of the plant. Pesticides can infiltrate essential oils and are found both inside and on the surface of the leaf. They are not removed during distillation — they become part of the end product.
How We Produce Kānuka Oil
Our kānuka oil is produced by slow steam distillation, using fresh spring water.
It starts with a harvest, we clip the trees and prepare them for distillation. The brush is then tightly packed into the distiller and turned on. It doesn't take long before the first smell of fresh kānuka oil starts to permeate the air around us. Soon after this the oil begins to drip through to the oil separator.
What's in Our Kānuka Essential Oil?
The composition of our kānuka essential oil has been analysed using gas chromatography to identify the natural bioactive compounds.
Native Tree Farm kānuka essential oil is rich in α-pinene, a naturally occurring monoterpene that forms a large portion of the oil and contributes to its fresh aroma.
It also contains compounds such as 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, viridiflorol, linalool, and α-terpineol, which all contribute to the character of the oil.
Many of the natural compounds in kānuka essential oil have been studied for their biological activity, such as antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory effects.
The Aroma Profile
Our kānuka essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous aroma with floral notes, influenced also by the landscape the trees are growing in.
Kānuka essential oil is a promising ingredient in natural perfumery, where its fresh, herbaceous, floral aroma can add unique benefits.
How Kānuka Essential Oil is used
Below are some of the common ways it can be used:
- Acne and blemish treatments
- Eczema and sensitive skin care
- Natural fragrance ingredient
- Wound care
- Aromatherapy
- Massage oils
- Facial and lip care
If you want to use kānuka oil this way, see our organic kānuka oil here.