Kunzea Oil: A Future Solution for Hair Loss?

In 2018, a case study by Thomas J, Kosari S, and Naunton M from the Department of Pharmacy & Health, University of Canberra, Australia, provided preliminary evidence for the use of kunzea oil in stimulating hair re-growth. The study was based on a horse treated for a dermatitis induced lesion with a formulation containing 20% kunzea oil, which resulted in significant hair re-growth in the previously denuded areas. The authors noted that hair loss affects about 50% of men and women, and current treatment options are limited. Kunzea oil, produced by steam distillation of the aerial parts of the shrub kunzeaambigua, has been approved for topical application in humans and animals by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia. The oil has demonstrated potent antimicrobial action and has been used for various dermatological conditions. The authors suggested that the fatty acid mixtures present in the oil and its anti-inflammatory properties may have contributed to the observed hair re-growth, but further studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms involved.