Lavender and Tea Tree Oil May Effect Hormones

It appears that lavender and other fragrant oils can affect the hormones of the endocrine system. Pediatric endocrinologist Clifford Bloch of the University of Colorado diagnosed three boys ages four, seven and ten with gynecomastia. Prepubertal gynecomastia is a rare condition that leads to breast growth in prepubescent males.

All three boys were healthy in all other aspects and all the boys had been using products that contained lavender and tea tree oils. Tests done on the oils found that they could act as estrogen, the primary female sex hormone and inhibit androgen, the primary male sex hormone.

Lavender, tea tree oil and other fragrant oils are often found in shampoo, soap, lotion and other products. It is important to note that the condition subsided several months after the patients stopped using the products.

Gynecomastia is the result of hormonal imbalance when prolonged exposure to estrogen occurs. In the case of lavender and tea tree oil, the oils act as endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are naturally occurring compounds or synthetic chemicals that interfere with normal functioning of the hormones of the endocrine system.

In many cases of gynecomastia there has been no clear cause for the condition. Gynecomastia has been linked to kidney, liver and other chronic disease but as in the case of the three boys there were completely healthy in all respects other than the apparent effects of prepubertal gynecomastia. The condition itself is not physically harmful although there could be underlying conditions. The psychological effects can be damaging to young males suffering from the condition.

Whether lavender and tea tree oils have similar effects on girls, adolescents or adults is unknown at this time. The findings were reported in the February New England Journal of Medicine. It will be interesting to see what further study shows regarding the effects of these oils on other groups of individuals. Further research is needed to see whether any other factors played a role in the development of gynecomastia beside the oils in the products used.