A new study lends further evidence to a suspected link between abnormal breast growth in young boys -- called prepubertal gynecomastia -- and regular exposure to lavender or tea tree oil, by finding that key chemicals in these common plant-derived oils act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The study results will be presented Monday at ENDO 2018, the Endocrine Society's 100th annual meeting in Chicago.
Lavender and tea tree oil are among the so-called essential oils that have become popular in the United States as alternatives for medical treatment, personal hygiene and cleaning products, and aromatherapy. Various consumer products contain lavender and tea tree oil, including some soaps, lotions, shampoos, hair-styling products, cologne and laundry detergents.
"Our society deems essential oils as safe," said study lead investigator J. Tyler Ramsey, a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health. "However, they possess a diverse amount of chemicals and should be used with caution because some of these chemicals are potential endocrine disruptors."
An endocrine-disrupting chemical is a chemical in the environment that interferes with hormones and their actions in the body.
Male gynecomastia occurring before puberty is relatively rare, but a growing amount of cases have been reported to coincide with topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oil, and the condition went away after the boys stopped using the oil-containing products, Ramsey said. Researchers at the NIEHS, including Kenneth Korach, Ph.D., a co-investigator for the new study, previously found laboratory evidence that lavender and tea tree oil have estrogenic (estrogen-like) properties and anti-androgenic (testosterone inhibiting-like) activities, meaning they compete or hinder the hormones that control male characteristics, which could affect puberty and growth.
Under Korach's direction, Ramsey and his NIEHS colleagues went a step further. From the hundreds of chemicals that comprise lavender and tea tree oil, they selected for analysis eight components that are common and mandated for inclusion in the oils. Four of the tested chemicals appear in both oils: eucalyptol, 4-terpineol, dipentene/limonene and alpha-terpineol. The others were in either oil: linalyl acetate, linalool, alpha-terpinene and gamma-terpinene. Using in vitro, or test tube, experiments, the researchers applied these chemicals to human cancer cells to measure changes of estrogen receptor- and androgen receptor-target genes and transcriptional activity.
All eight chemicals demonstrated varying estrogenic and/or anti-androgenic properties, with some showing high or little to no activity, the investigators reported. Ramsey said these changes were consistent with endogenous, or bodily, hormonal conditions that stimulate gynecomastia in prepubescent boys.
"Lavender oil and tea tree oil pose potential environmental health concerns and should be investigated further," he said.
Of further concern, according to Ramsey, is that many of the chemicals they tested appear in at least 65 other essential oils. Essential oils are available without a prescription and are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thus, the public should be aware of these findings and consider all evidence before deciding to use essential oils. The NIEHS Division of Intramural Research funded this study through its support of Korach.
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Summary: A new study lends further evidence to a suspected link between abnormal breast growth in young boys -- called prepubertal gynecomastia -- and regular exposure to lavender or tea tree oil, by finding that key chemicals in these common plant-derived oils act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Does lavender and tea tree oil cause early puberty? ›
Various studies, conducted since 2007, have reported a total of eight boys with prepubertal gynaecomastia and four girls with premature thelarche following exposure to lavender and/or tree tea oil. All patients experienced regression of the breast tissue after they stopped using these oils.
What are hormone disrupting chemicals? ›
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or human-made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body's hormones, which are part of the endocrine system. These chemicals are associated with a wide array of health issues.
What is lavender and tea tree oil good for? ›
A tea tree oil cream, applied twice daily for one month, has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of athlete's foot. Lice. When used in combination with lavender oil, tea tree oil has been shown to be effective at treating lice eggs. Nail fungus.
What toxins are in lavender? ›
It is mainly the linalyl acetate and linalool in lavender oil that are poisonous.
Does lavender and tea tree oil affect hormones? ›
D., a co-investigator for the new study, previously found laboratory evidence that lavender and tea tree oil have estrogenic (estrogen-like) properties and anti-androgenic (testosterone inhibiting-like) activities, meaning they compete or hinder the hormones that control male characteristics, which could affect puberty ...
Does lavender oil cause estrogen imbalance? ›
The findings also reveal that chemicals in lavender oil and tea tree oil are potential endocrine disruptors with varying effects on receptors for two hormones — estrogen and androgen (see sidebar).
What are the top hormone disruptors? ›
Hormone disruptors are substances not naturally found in the body that interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action or elimination of the body's natural hormones. Phthal ates, Bisphenol A (BPA) and DDT are some of the more commonly known hormone disruptors.
How to detox from endocrine disruptors? ›
Reducing exposure to EDCs
- avoid plastic containers, bottles and packaging.
- avoid canned food/beverage.
- consume fresh and organic food.
- avoid fast/processed foods.
- supplement diet with vitamin C, iodine and folic acid.
Parabens and Phthalates
Parabens and phthalates are preservatives that help the scent last longer, however, they've both been noted for their potential hormone-disrupting effects because their molecular structures mimic that of hormones like estrogen and testosterone in the body.
Lavender oil is toxic if taken orally. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender.
Is tea tree and lavender a good combination? ›
Lavender oil is another wonderful therapeutic essential oil which when combined with tea tree oil, helps to mask the scent as well as increase the blend's effectiveness. Lavender is best known as a relaxing oil that can help with sleep, but it has many other benefits, including being very beneficial for skin issues.
Does tea tree oil and lavender stop hair growth? ›
Tea Tree Oil Blends for Hair Growth
You can also boost hair growth by blending tea tree oil with other essential oils like lavender and rosemary. These oils, too, promote hair health.
What is the health warning for lavender oil? ›
Lavender oil seems to have hormone-like effects that could disrupt normal hormones. In some cases, this has resulted in breast growth. There isn't enough reliable information to know if lavender is safe for children to take by mouth. Surgery: Lavender might slow down the central nervous system.
Does lavender have any negative effects? ›
Lavender is LIKELY SAFE for most adults in food amounts. It's POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or inhaled in medicinal amounts. When taken by mouth, lavender can cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. When applied to the skin, lavender can sometimes cause irritation.
Is lavender a carcinogen? ›
Preclinical studies suggest anticancer effects of lavender against various cancer cell lines (47) (48) (49). Animal studies that employed the monocyclic terpene perillyl alcohol (POH) derived from several herbs including lavender showed tumor inhibition and regression (50) (51), but studies in humans are needed.
What effect does tea tree oil have on kids? ›
Children: Tea tree oil is likely unsafe when taken by mouth. It has caused serious side effects, including confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash, and coma. Applying tea tree oil to the skin is possibly safe. It may cause skin irritation and swelling.
What effect does lavender oil have on boys? ›
The first study was reported in The New England Journal of Medicine in early 2007. It concluded that repeated use of products containing lavender oil or tea tree oil may spur breast growth in prepubertal boys, a phenomenon called prepubertal gynecomastia.
Does lavender affect fertility? ›
Not only does lavender oil potentially lower cortisol levels in your body, it has the added bonus of regulating sleep and promoting relaxation. And since stress and fertility are inextricably linked, using this oil can help promote overall well being so that life's stresses don't impact your conception goals.
