Essential Oils and Abnormal Breast Development in Boys

Node Smith, ND

A study was presented at the 100th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, in March, that essential oils are incredibly concentrated extracts of a narrow range of plant constituents and can have very powerful effects on human physiology – some of them unwanted. The paper presented, was on the effects of essential oils, specifically lavender and tea tree, on the development of abnormal breast tissue in young boys.¹

Gynaecomastia

Breast development in males – gynaecomastia – is a condition that is generally considered rare. It occurs as a side effect of certain drugs or medications – drugs that manipulate hormone levels such as estrogen or testosterone. In many cases there may not be a cause identifiable.

Study found that there may be a need to show caution with the use of these products among pre-pubescent boys

The study in question, found that there are chemical compounds in essential oils that can increase estrogen in boys and suppress testosterone. A person’s reaction to these essential oils may vary drastically, however, the compounds are being referred to as “endocrine disruptors,” in the confines of the paper. It is pointed out that there is wide spread use of these essential oils in daily use products such as lotions, creams, soaps and shampoos, and that there may be a need to show caution with the use of these products among pre-pubescent boys.

This current study looks at 8 chemicals, 4 of which are common to lavender and tea tree

Dr. Kenneth Korach, co-author of the study, mentions that there have been reported cases of gynaecomastia in boys after use of these essential oils, which stopped once the essential oils were discontinued. Dr. Korach has shown previously that lavender oil may affect male hormone levels and puberty of young boys.² This current study looks at 8 chemicals, 4 of which are common to lavender and tea tree – eucalyptol, 4-terpineol, dipentene/limonene and alpha-terpineol and four found in one or the other – linalyl acetate, linalool, alpha-terpinene and gamma-terpinene.

Study take away: more investigation needs to be done before essential oils are considered safe in a younger population

When isolated and tested on human cells, these compounds were found to reduce testosterone levels and increase estrogen levels. Interestingly, these 8 compounds are also found in 65 other known essential oils. The take away from the study seemed to be that more investigation needs to be done before essential oils are considered safe in a younger population which is especially vulnerable to changes in hormone levels.

Source:

1. https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/endo-2018-chemicals-in-lavender-and-tea-tree-oil-appear-to-be-hormone-disruptors/
2. Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA. Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(5):479-85.

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Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Portland, OR and associate editor for NDNR. He has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine among the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend camp-out where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Four years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.