If you'd asked me about Kunzea essential oil six months ago, I would have had no idea what you were talking about.
Then I received a bottle as a gift through my essential oil company, started diffusing it with orange just to see what it smelled like — and now it's one of my absolute favorites. Fresh, earthy, a little camphor-y, a little citrusy. It's one of those scents that just makes a room feel clean and calm.
And then a reader wrote in asking about tweaking her DIY fly spray to help with ticks — and suddenly I was down a Kunzea rabbit hole I wasn't expecting. What I found was genuinely fascinating, and I think once you understand what's in this oil and what it's actually been researched for, you'll feel the same way.
What Is Kunzea Essential Oil?
Kunzea ambigua is an Australian shrub native to Tasmania and the coastal southeastern regions of Australia, belonging to the Myrtaceae family — the same family as tea tree and eucalyptus. It goes by several common names, including Tasmanian Kunzea, White Kunzea, and my personal favorite: Tick Bush.
The essential oil is wildcrafted and steam distilled from the flowers and leaves of the plant, which has been used by Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years. It's recognized by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — essentially the Australian equivalent of the FDA — for its use in skin applications and as a natural insect repellent.
The scent is fresh, medicinal, and slightly camphoraceous with earthy and citrus undertones. It blends beautifully with orange, eucalyptus, lavender, and cedarwood.
Its active compounds — including alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole, and viridiflorol — overlap significantly with better-known oils like tea tree and eucalyptus, but in a combination that tends to be gentler on skin.
Kunzea Oil and Its Traditional Use for Pain and Inflammation
Aboriginal Australians have traditionally used Kunzea for pain relief — specifically for muscular pain, joint discomfort, and conditions like arthritis — for thousands of years. That's a meaningful track record that modern research is beginning to catch up with.
The alpha-pinene and 1,8-cineole found in Kunzea are both compounds that have been studied for their activity in supporting comfort in muscles and joints when applied topically in a diluted carrier oil.
A study published by Griffith University found that Kunzea ambigua essential oil demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against multiple pathogens associated with inflammatory conditions, which helps explain its long history of traditional use for pain and swelling.
I want to be clear — I'm not a vet or a doctor, and I'm not making medical claims here. What I am saying is that the traditional use of this plant has real science beginning to support it, and I find that genuinely interesting.
Kunzea Essential Oil Antimicrobial Research
This is where Kunzea starts to get really interesting.
A research thesis from the University of Tasmania investigated Kunzea oil's composition, bioactivity, and therapeutic potential — and the findings on antimicrobial activity were significant. The oil demonstrated antimicrobial activity against several hospital-acquired pathogens, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) — one of the most antibiotic-resistant bacteria we currently deal with.
A study from Griffith University found that Kunzea ambigua showed significant antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis, with minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 33 µg/mL.
Does this mean Kunzea essential oil is a replacement for medical treatment?Absolutely not.
But it does suggest this oil has real, research-backed antimicrobial action — not just traditional lore.
For me personally, this is why I've started reaching for Kunzea as part of my routine for minor wounds and skin irritations on my horses. Diluted in a carrier oil and applied to the area, it's become a go-to in my barn kit.
Kunzea as a Natural Insect Repellent: Why It's Called the Tick Bush
Here's the part that sent me down this rabbit hole in the first place.
One of Kunzea's most well-known common names is literally "Tick Bush." The plant is naturally repellent to insects — something Aboriginal Australians knew and used long before any research confirmed it.
The University of Tasmania research found that Kunzea essential oil provides mosquito repellency comparable to citronella — which is saying something, since citronella is one of the most widely recognized natural insect repellents. Kunzea is also formally recognized by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration as a natural insect repellent.
Kunzea Essential Oil for Horses
Here's what I find most compelling for horse owners: there is an actual randomized controlled trial — real clinical research — on the use of Kunzea essential oil for pastern dermatitis in horses.
The pastern dermatitis study included 37 horses and compared a Kunzea oil ointment to a conventional ketoconazole treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in lesion size in the Kunzea group, with 63.6% of horses achieving complete resolution — compared to no significant improvement in the ketoconazole group.
That's not anecdotal. That's a controlled trial with measurable outcomes, and for anyone who has dealt with pastern dermatitis, mud fever, or scratches, that's a meaningful finding.
Beyond the pastern dermatitis research, here's how I've been using Kunzea with my own horses:
- Minor wounds and skin irritations — diluted in a carrier oil applied directly to the area
- DIY fly spray — adding to my recipe as a natural pest deterrent during fly and tick season. If you want to read more about how I approach fly spray overall, that full blog is here.
- Muscle and joint support — diluted in a carrier and massaged into sore areas after a ride.
Kunzea Essential Oil for Dogs
Everything mentioned above translates well to dogs — with the usual care around dilution and knowing your individual animal.
For tick season, it's worth exploring adding Kunzea essential oil to your dog's coat spray or regular flea and tick support blend. I wouldn't rely on it as a standalone solution, but as part of a layered natural approach it's worth having in your toolkit.
For skin irritations, minor scrapes, or anywhere you'd want gentle topical support — Kunzea diluted in coconut or fractionated coconut oil absorbs nicely. If you want to go deeper on natural flea and tick support for dogs, I have a full blog on that here.
And if you want to enjoy the aroma — three drops Kunzea and three drops orange in your diffuser is one of the best odor-control combinations I've come across. It just makes your house smell amazing.
How to Use Kunzea Essential Oil
Topically: Best practice is to dilute in a carrier oil. A standard dilution for adults is 2-3% (roughly 12-18 drops per ounce of carrier oil). For animals, keep it on the lower end — around 0.5-1% for horses, less for small dogs.
In a diffuser: 3-4 drops on its own, or blended with orange, lavender, eucalyptus, or cedarwood. Three drops Kunzea + three drops orange is my personal go-to.
In fly or coat spray: Add 10-15 drops per 8 oz of your base spray as part of a blend.
Storage: Like all essential oils, Kunzea does best when stored away from heat and light. A cool, dark spot is ideal — and refrigeration works great if you need longer-term storage. If you want to learn more about storing your oils properly, I have a full blog on that here.
A note on quality: As with all essential oils, quality and source matter. I've personally visited the farms and even helped distill and bottle the oil — and that kind of transparency is exactly why this is the only brand I use and recommend.
Final Thoughts on Kunzea Essential Oil
Kunzea essential oil is one of those oils that deserves a lot more attention than it gets — especially for those of us with horses and dogs. The research is there, the traditional use is there, and my personal experience has been really positive.
I'm still exploring everything it can do, and I'm sure I'll have more to share as I continue using it. If you've tried Kunzea or have questions, I'd love to hear from you — drop a comment below.
As a horse massage therapist for over 20 years, I’ve worked on a lot of horses—and I’m always thinking in terms of what’s going to make my job easier and what’s actually going to add results.
If something has the potential to support the horses I’m working on and build on what I’m already doing, I’m interested. And honestly… tools are fun. I like trying new things and seeing if they can make a difference.
So when the BEMER Horse-Set started getting attention in the horse world, I didn’t hesitate—I bought one.
Not because I was looking to replace massage or essential oils, but because I wanted to see if it could fit into what I was already doing in a way that actually made a difference.
After using it consistently, I definitely have a few thoughts.
Why I Decided to Try It
At the time, I already had a strong routine—both with my own horses and the horses I work on through my massage business.
But I’m always looking for ways to make things better.
If something has the potential to support what I’m already doing, improve results, or make things more efficient, I’m interested. And honestly… trying new tools is part of the fun for me.
I had used PEMF before, so I wasn’t new to the concept. But what I kept coming back to was how something fits into real life—because that matters just as much as how something works.
Some tools require more setup, more decision-making, or just more effort to use consistently. And when you’re working on multiple horses or managing your own, that adds up quickly.
Because if something isn’t easy to use, it usually ends up sitting in the tack room.
That’s what caught my attention with the BEMER Horse-Set.
It’s designed around short, consistent sessions, with a focus on better blood flow—specifically microcirculation, which is where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged at the cellular level.
That combination—something simple to use, designed for consistency, and focused on circulation—was what made me want to try it and see how it would fit alongside the work I was already doing.
What the BEMER Horse Set Actually Is
At its core, the BEMER Horse-Set is a PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) system for horses designed to improve circulation in the horse’s body.
But what makes it a little different—and what caught my attention—is its focus on microcirculation.
Microcirculation refers to the smallest blood vessels in the body, where oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues and waste products are carried away. It’s a big part of how the body supports recovery, movement, and overall function.
That’s the level BEMER is designed to work on.
If you want to go deeper into how they explain it, the BEMER Group has a full breakdown of how their technology is designed to improve microcirculation.
One of the things I found really interesting was how they demonstrate changes in blood flow. You can actually watch an example of that here.
It’s not something most of us think about day to day—but it plays a role in a lot of the situations we deal with as horse owners.
For me, this is one of the reasons the BEMER Horse-Set fits so well into my routine.
It’s designed around improving circulation—which is something I pay attention to in everything I do—so it naturally became part of my routine as another way to support the horse alongside the hands-on work I’m already doing.
What Stood Out to Me Right Away (Ease of Use)
One of the first things that stood out to me with the BEMER Horse-Set was how easy it was to use.
And that might sound simple, but when you’re working on multiple horses—or even just managing your own—that matters more than people think.
You put the blanket on, press a button, choose one of three settings… and that’s it.
There’s no guessing.
No complicated setup.
No wondering if you’re doing too much or not enough.
No complicated setup.
No wondering if you’re doing too much or not enough.
It’s straightforward enough that it actually becomes part of your routine instead of something you have to think about.
And for me, that’s a big deal.
Because I’ve used tools before where I saw results… but if they’re not easy to use consistently, they don’t end up getting used the way they should.
This felt different.
It was simple enough that I could use it regularly without overthinking it—and that consistency is what made me want to keep using it.
What I Personally Noticed
After using the BEMER Horse-Set consistently, as part of my horse care routine, there were a few things that really stood out to me.
Before Riding
One of the first things I noticed was how horses felt when I used it before I got on.
They felt more ready to go right from the start.
Less of that initial stiffness, less time spent waiting for them to loosen up… just more willing to move forward from the beginning.
And if you ride regularly, you know how much that can change the whole ride.
Energy and Focus
This one surprised me a little.
I started noticing a shift in how horses felt mentally—not dull, not quiet in a flat way… just more settled and focused.
Calm, but still forward.
It’s hard to describe unless you’ve felt it, but it’s that kind of energy where the horse feels more organized and with you instead of scattered or tense.
Hind Leg Support and Stocking Up
I had a large draft mare who tended to stock up in her hind legs, and I also started using the BEMER on other horses dealing with swelling.
What stood out to me was how quickly I would notice a change after using it.
Over time, I found myself reaching for it more and more—partly because it was easy, and partly because I was seeing consistent day-to-day improvements.
In a lot of cases, I was able to rely on it more heavily and do less of some of the other things I had been doing, simply because it fit into my routine so easily and still gave me the kind of results I was looking for.
Recovery and Getting Back to Work
When I used the BEMER Horse-Set as part of a horse’s recovery routine—especially after time off due to injury—I felt like the transition back into work went more smoothly.
Horses seemed more comfortable during that process, and the progression back into work just felt more manageable overall.
I paid pretty close attention to this, and it became something I wanted to include whenever I was working with a horse coming back from time off.
Stall Rest (This Is Where It Really Matters)
This is something I think gets overlooked a lot.
There’s this idea that if a horse isn’t working, they don’t need as much support—but in my experience, it’s actually the opposite.
Horses are designed to move.
This is something I see come up a lot in my work with horses, and it’s one of the reasons I focus so much on supporting the body through things like bodywork and other natural approaches.
So when they’re on stall rest and that movement is taken away, things can start to compound—stiffness, circulation, overall comfort.
That’s when tools like the BEMER can play an even bigger role.
Not as a replacement for movement, but as a way to support the body while they’re not able to do what they’re naturally designed to do.
Supporting Comfort During Digestive Issues
I’ve also used the BEMER Horse-Set in situations where a horse was showing signs of digestive discomfort, while waiting for the vet to arrive.
And just to say it again—calling the vet is always the first step.
But if you’ve been around horses, you know that waiting period can feel long.
For me, I want to feel like I’m doing something to support the horse during that time.
That’s where this has been useful in my routine.
I’ve noticed that many times horses seem to become more settled and comfortable while I’m waiting for the vet, and that alone made it something I wanted to keep on hand.
BEMER vs Other PEMF (How I Think About It)
I’ve used different types of PEMF over the years—and I actually own a traditional PEMF device as well—so I want to be clear that this isn’t about one being better across the board.
It’s more like comparing apples to oranges.
I’ve had good results using both.
What it really comes down to for me is how it fits into real life.
As both a horse owner and a practitioner, time matters. Whether I’m working on multiple horses or fitting something into my own routine, I need tools that are effective but also realistic to use consistently.
And that’s where I find myself reaching for the BEMER Horse-Set most of the time in my day-to-day horse care.
Not because the others don’t work—but because this one is so easy to use, easy to repeat, and easy to make part of a routine without overthinking it.
For a horse owner, that’s huge.
You put it on, press a button, and you can do that day after day without needing to adjust settings or figure anything out.
And in my experience, that consistency is what really adds up over time and makes a noticeable difference in a horse’s overall comfort.
So while I’ve had results with different types of PEMF, this is the one I reach for nine times out of ten—because it works within the time I have and still gives me the kind of results I’m looking for.
Is It Worth It?
This is probably the question most people are really asking.
And yes—the BEMER Horse-Set is an investment. There’s no getting around that.
But the way I look at it is a little different.
When is investing in your horse’s comfort and overall well-being not worth it?
Because if you’ve been around horses long enough, you know how this goes.
They’re big, powerful animals…
but at the same time, they can be surprisingly fragile.
but at the same time, they can be surprisingly fragile.
Something always comes up.
And a lot of what we do as horse owners ends up being reactive—dealing with things as they happen.
But wouldn’t it make more sense to spend less time reacting—and more time doing what we can day in and day out to support them?
Not because things won’t still come up—because they will. Horses are horses.
But when you have something in place that supports them consistently, you’re not starting from scratch every time something does happen.
And at the same time, it’s also about having tools you can reach for in those moments—when something does come up and you want to support the horse as best as you can.
How I Use It Day to Day
For me, this is something that fits really naturally into what I’m already doing.
I use the BEMER Horse-Set:
- on my older horses who tend to stock up, especially in their legs
- before riding, so they feel more ready to go from the start
- on anything that pops up during the day that needs a little extra support
- and before my massage sessions, which makes a noticeable difference in how the tissue feels and how much work I actually have to do
Sessions are short, it’s easy to use, and because of that, it’s something I can stay consistent with without it feeling like one more thing to manage.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re considering the BEMER Horse-Set and trying to figure out if it makes sense for you and your horse, I’m always happy to chat.
Sometimes it’s easier to just talk it through and see how it would fit into your situation.
You can use the contact button here to reach out or set up a quick call—I’m happy to answer questions and help you think through whether it’s a good fit for you.
If you’d rather take a look on your own first, you can explore more details about the system, what’s included, and how it works on my BEMER Horse Set information page.
By the way, that link is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only share tools I absolutely love and use in my own routine.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I’m always looking for simple, consistent ways to support the horses I work with.
And for me, this is one of those tools that just makes sense—it’s easy to use, it fits into real life, and it’s something I actually reach for on a regular basis.
And when something checks those boxes and I see results, that’s what makes it worth it for me.
