The Truth About Lavender and Tea Tree Essential oils Disrupting Hormones In Children
Lavender and tea tree essential oils have long been celebrated for their soothing scents and therapeutic properties. However, misconceptions often circulate, suggesting a potential link between these oils and disruptions to the endocrine system, particularly in the form of prepubertal gynecomastia. In this article, I would like to clear the air on this topic and explore the scientific evidence that supports the safety of lavender and tea tree essential oils in relation to the endocrine system.
Understanding the Concerns:
Gynecomastia is the development of breast tissue in males before puberty. Many have raised concerns that lavender and tea tree essential oils may be responsible for prepubertal gynecomastia. The theory suggests that these oils contain compounds with estrogenic properties, potentially affecting hormonal balance.
Before we dive into the research on this topic., I want to add that gynecomastia can have many etiologies and other variables such as drug and environmental exposure should always be considered. Genetics may play a role as many of the sample population in these studies below were Latin/South American. Other variables that impact the endocrine system include stress, diet, (2 boys in one study did drink soy milk regularly for years), immune function, environmental contaminants, cosmetic and personal care products, UV filters, pesticides and water source.
Scientific Evidence
Numerous studies have looked into the chemical composition of lavender and tea tree essential oils, examining whether they possess estrogenic or endocrine-disrupting properties. The overwhelming consensus among researchers is that these oils do not pose a threat to the endocrine system.
What past studies have shown:
A 2007 study noted gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue in males) in 3 healthy prepubertal boys who were exposed topically to products containing lavender and tea tree oils. The gynecomastia resolved within 4-9 months after discontinuing the products. (1)
A 2019 study noted 3 prepubertal girls and one prepubertal boy experienced enlargement of breast growth after being exposed to lavender fragranced products and this was resolved 6 months after discontinuing the products. (2)
In vitro studies from 2007 and 2018 show very weak estrogenic activity and found to be "non/minimally estrogenic" (3)
Some considerations to take into account with these studies:
Extremely small sample sizes. (Side note: Considering the amount of lavender being used in the would think we would seeing this problem a lot more if there was a true link).
Studies based conclusions off "essential oil containing products" (soaps, lotions, colognes). The products were not tested through GCMS and analyzed for potential influence of other ingredients.
Lavender fragrance was commonly quoted in the case reports and botanical species of the essential oil was not given. This raises the question if the lavender oil natural or synthetic.
There was no statistical calculation, actual lab tests and other environmental variables weren't taken into account.
Two of the girls in the 2019 study still experienced early puberty after removal or products.
In the 2007 study, fraternal twins both used the lavender containing soap and one twin did not develop gynecomastia.
Additional Research:
A 2020 systemic review states "Reporting of inclusion, demographic data, clinical data, and the potential for causality was found to be insufficient. This study did NOT find evidence to support the claim that tea tree essential oil is related to endocrine disruption in children, and little to no evidence to substantiate the proposed link between lavender essential oil and endocrine disruption in children." (4)
While there is not robust data on this topic, it is also worth noting that a 2013 study showed a uterotrophic assay with rats using high dosages of lavender essential oil. The study found it did NOT statistically induce a mean uterine weight concluding lavender essential oil is NOT an estrogenic agonist. (5)
Rebuttal letters to editor of journal
Several rebuttal letters in 2020 were written by researchers in regards to the 2019 study to the editor of the journal. The researchers claimed they tested the lavender products through GCMS composition assays and found the products did not contain lavender essential oil or natural fragrances. They found synthetic compounds such as alpha-isomethyl ionine, dyes, azo dyes and other chemicals known to have allergenic potential and toxicity, and diethyl phthalate- a suspected endocrine disrupting chemical. The baby bath oil had trace amount of lavender oil in it, in addition to other contaminates. (6) (7)
It is worth noting that there is a vast amount more of lavender essential oil than actual lavender plants in the world. Therefore, lavender essential oil has a high risk of being adulterated. It takes a great amount of plant yield to make one bottle of lavender essential oil (approximately 27 square feet of plant to make 1 15ml bottle). Because of this some companies will use synthetic lavender fragrance and label it as an essential oil. Synthetic lavender has a higher probability of negatively impacting the body and potentially disrupting the endocrine system.
The Latest Research
In June 2022, the first epidemiological study was done to determine if there is a risk for children using essential oils and endocrine disruption, in particular gynecomastia. Epidemiologic studies provide the most direct and relevant evidence for associations of risk and disease. The cross-sectional study was done with 556 children and showed there was no additional risk of prepubertal gynecomastia and other endocrine disorders for children who were regularly exposed to lavender or tea tree essential oils. (8)
The fears surrounding lavender and tea tree essential oils disrupting the endocrine system or causing prepubertal gynecomastia lack substantial scientific backing. When used appropriately, these oils can be enjoyed for their therapeutic benefits without posing a risk to hormonal balance or causing adverse effects. In conclusion, always take information you hear or read with a grain of salt. Even research studies can be flawed and disputed as more studies are done. Physicians generally don’t update their practices according to new data and aren’t always aware of the latest research. Currently, the overwhelming consensus among researchers is that these essential oils do not pose a threat to the endocrine system.
Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
References:
Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA. Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. N Engl J Med. 2007 Feb 1;356(5):479-85.
Ramsey JT, Li Y, Arao Y, Naidu A, Coons LA, Diaz A, Korach KS. Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Nov 1;104(11):5393-5405.
Simões BM, Kohler B, Clarke RB, Stringer J, Novak-Frazer L, Young K, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Zucchini G, Armstrong A, Howell SJ. Estrogenicity of essential oils is not required to relieve symptoms of urogenital atrophy in breast cancer survivors. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2018 Apr 2;10:1758835918766189.
Hawkins J, Hires C, Dunne E, Baker C. The relationship between lavender and tea tree essential oils and pediatric endocrine disorders: A systematic review of the literature. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Mar;49:102288. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102288. Epub 2019 Dec 20.
Politano VT, McGinty D, Lewis EM, Hoberman AM, Christian MS, Diener RM, Api AM. Uterotrophic assay of percutaneous lavender oil in immature female rats. Int J Toxicol. 2013 Mar-Apr;32(2):123-9. doi: 10.1177/1091581812472209. Epub 2013 Jan 28.
Larkman T. Letter to the Editor: "Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and 1 Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities". J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Sep 1;105(9):dgaa392.
Giroux JM, Orjubin M. Letter to the Editor: "Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities". J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Jul 1;105(7):e2677–8.
Hawkins J, Hires C, Dunne E, Keenan L. Prevalence of endocrine disorders among children exposed to Lavender Essential Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oils. Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2022 Jun;9(2):117-124. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 9.