Different case reports that link lavender and tea tree essential oil as a cause of prepubertal gynecomastia resulted in different reactions. Several articles that express agreement or criticism have been written since the journal report was published in 2007. An article published on the NIH website dated February 12, 2007, gives us a better understanding of how the issue seemed to have started. According to the article, Dr. Clifford Bloch, a pediatric endocrinologist had diagnosed three patients with prepubertal gynecomastia. It was reported by the parents that the patients have used products that contain lavender and tea tree oil. Dr. Bloch opened up this issue with the NIEHS researchers hence, led to the pursuit of conducting a further study about this hormone disruptor concern. The result of their study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine on February 1, 2007, and since then, different cases have been presented.
Researchers concluded that repeated topical application of products containing lavender oil and tea tree oil can cause prepubertal gynecomastia (2). Over-the-counter personal care products that were used by gynecomastia patients include shampoos, gels, soaps, etc. Hence this post will categorize the cases according to the product the patients have used.
Healing balm
A healing balm containing lavender oil was used by a 4-year and 5-month-old boy, allegedly, as a result, had gynecomastia. Symptoms that manifested in him include having tender breast buds that increased to 2.5 cm by 2.5 cm in diameter with a breast mound (2).
Shampoo
A boy who was under the age of 11 repeatedly applied gel and shampoo containing lavender and tea tree oil. He experienced some changes in his areolar mound (2).
Soap
A 7-year-old boy who’s using lavender-scented soap and intermittently used lavender-scented skin lotions had gynecomastia (2).
As early as one year old, right-side breast development was observed in a patient who had been using soap-containing lavender oil since infancy. At the age of three, she reported she experienced breast tenderness (3).
Fragrance
7 7-year-old and 11-month-old boy was exposed daily to cologne with lavender oil since he was an infant. At the age of 4, it was observed that he had breast enlargement (3).
7 years and the 6-month-old girl was reported to have a left breast bud at age 6 years. She was exposed to a cologne containing lavender oil since early childhood. (3)
Two boys were reported to have prepubertal gynecomastia after being exposed to cologne with lavender oil. (1)
It’s worth noticing that the 2019 study of Ramsey and the 2016 investigation of Diaz shows consistency. Both the research mentioned a case that includes a Spanish cologne containing Agua de Violetas which seemed to be a hormone disruptor and caused prepubertal gynecomastia among children.
Lavender oil and aromatherapy
One article published raised the question of whether aromatherapy or inhaling the scent of the oils can also lead to hormone activity or is it just repeated topical exposure to the oils? In the same article, the writer encourages that further research must be pursued since the case reports that are linked to gynecomastia are mostly about direct skin exposure to lavender and tea tree essential oil.
In 2019 the study of Ramsey et al. reported a patient that experienced thelarche after inhaling a lavender scent. The patient was 7 years old and a 9-month-old girl complained about a left breast bud. She reported that she was exposed to lavender oil through inhalation all day for 1 year because she was sitting near the teacher’s table where the lavender oil diffuser was located. (3)
Warnings and considerations
The cases presented above may seem alarming, and some might have worried about using lavender and tea tree oil. Since it was published, some essential oils enthusiasts might have temporarily rested from using the mentioned oils. However, reading more research and the opinions of experts would enable you to understand how you can use these oils safely. Moreover, it enables you to comprehend the problems and considerations about the findings of the study.
Since the publication of the case reports, it has received criticism. However, fair essential oil enthusiasts would choose to consider its content and understand as they believe that the researchers are just concerned about the welfare of lavender and tea tree oil users and hence report the risks of using the oils.
While there are warnings about using lavender and tea tree oil, it is comforting to know that essential oil experts like Mr. Robert Tisserand presented rebuttals that can make us understand why we can continue using lavender and tea tree oil without being too anxious. If you want to learn more about the rebuttals presented you can read this post
Pure essential oil
Another important thing to consider is that the products that were used in the case report only contain lavender and tea tree oil. The products used that cause gynecomastia are not pure essential oils. Hence research that focuses on lavender and tea tree pure essential oils should be pursued to be able to answer this accurately and claim that lavender and tea tree oil truly causes gynecomastia.
If you are a bit hesitant to use lavender and tea tree essential oil, the findings of the test conducted by NIEHS researchers might help you to not worry. During their study, they created different dilutions of the two types of pure essential oils and found that as the dilution increased, the EDC activity of the oils and chemicals decreased. Hence this recommends the safe way to use lavender and tea tree essential oils and protect our children to avoid hormone disruptors.
Hope this post helps to shed some light on the issues concerning lavender and tea tree oil.
Wholeheartedly serve with care
References:
- (1) Diaz, A., Luque, L., Badar, Z., Kornic, S., & Danon, M. (2016). Prepubertal gynecomastia and chronic lavender exposure: report of three cases. Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism: JPEM, 29(1), 103–107. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2015-0248
- (2) Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 365(5): 479-485
- (3) Ramsey, J.T., Li Y., Arao Y., Naidu A., Coons L. Diaz A., Korach K. Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, November 2019, 104(11):5393–5405
- (4) https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/essential-oils/index.cfm
- (5) https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lavender-tea-tree-oils-may-cause-breast-growth-boys
- (6) https://roberttisserand.com/2013/02/lavender-oil-is-not-estrogenic/
Ciele 