michael barry
Senior Member
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http://www.achs.edu/news/news-detail.aspx?nid=76
The following is a review of a recent small study on lavender oil and its potential estrogenic effects (with associated breast enlargement in young boys) by ACHS Professor Dr. Arianna Staruch ND.
This recent experience highlights that essential oils contain biologically active constituents which can have physiologic effects when used topically. The use of these oils should be by those with appropriate training. Indiscriminate exposure of the public to essential oils may need to be evaluated for possible risks.
Is Lavender Essential Oil Associated with breast enlargement in young boys?
A study published in the NEJM this week raised the possibility that lavender essential oil found in common beauty products had caused breast enlargement (gynecomastia) in three young boys in Colorado. The breast enlargement resolved when the boys stopped using the products. The products all contained lavender essential oil, and included a healing balm, soap, body lotion, shampoo and hair gel. (The shampoo and hair gel also contained tea tree oil.) Hormone levels in all three boys remained normal throughout.
The researchers then tested tea tree and lavender oil in vitro, and both were found to stimulate the estrogen receptor and block the androgen receptor. This kind of disruption of hormone signaling pathways is thought to be responsible for gynecomastia and early puberty associated with known endocrine disruptors such as soy, pharmaceuticals, dioxins, furans, and organohalogens. Assessment of estrogenic activity of essential oil constituents has found that citral and geraniol can bind to estrogen receptors in vitro, but did not show estrogenic activity in a mouse model. Lavender essential oil contains geranyl acetate, a compound related to geraniol.
So was it the lavender that cased the abnormal breast enlargement? We can only suspect but not be sure. Because the gynecomastia resolved when the products were stopped, we can make a strong assumption that the products were the cause. None of the boys had been exposed to any known hormone disruptors including soy. The only obvious similarity in the products was the presence of lavender oil, however even the author of the study states that we cannot rule out that other components in the products also possess endocrine disrupting capability. Lavender essential oil was shown in vitro studies to bind to and stimulate the estrogen receptor but animal studies have not shown that this binding translates to estrogenic activity in vivo. However, children are extremely sensitive to estradiol, and no threshold has been established below which no hormonal effects can be seen in children exposed to known endocrine disruptors.
Does this mean that lavender essential oil is not safe for use in children? Compared to the number of children that are exposed to products containing lavender essential oil every day, only a very few may have had this response. In fact in the reported study, a fraternal twin brother of one of the boys also used the lavender skin lotion, but not the lavender soap, and did not show any signs of gynecomastia. However it is only prudent to be aware that the indiscriminate use of essential oils in frequently used household and beauty products may pose some risk to some children.
Should we change the way use lavender essential oil therapeutically? Lavender essential oil has long been viewed as an oil with few if any contraindications or side effects. In light of this study, maybe we should reconsider the use of lavender during pregnancy, nursing or in those with a history of hormone sensitive cancers.
This recent experience highlights that essential oils contain biologically active constituents, which can have physiologic effects when used topically. The use of these oils should be by those with appropriate training. Indiscriminate exposure of the public to essential oils may need to be evaluated for possible risks. It is recommended that the public seek out a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) by searching the Registered Aromatherapists Register at http://www.aromatherapycouncil.org/index.html. All RA’s have passed the national ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy and have completed a minimum of a one year Level 2 program in aromatherapy from a college or school that is in compliance with the current NAHA Educational Guidelines. Registration is a mark of the candidates dedication to the Aromatherapy field and to the safety of his or her clients and customers.
Footnotes:
How do environmental estrogen disruptors induce precocious puberty? Massart, et al; Minerva Pediatr 2006 Jun; 58(3):247
Assessment of estrogenic activity in some common essential oil constituents. Hoews MJ, et al; J. Pharm Pharmacol. 2002 Nov; 54(11):1521
Anticonflict effects of lavender oil and identification of its active constituents. Umezu T; et al; Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Dec; 85(4):713
The sensitivity of the child to sex steroids: possible impact of exogenous estrogens. Aksglaede L, et al; Hum Reprod Update. 2006 Jul-Aug; 12(4):342
More......................[url]http://www.gg ... 2/ab19.cfm[/url]
"Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils
« Back to Volume 23, Issue 2, June 2007 - Table of Contents
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Prepubertal gynecomastia is rare and should always be considered pathological and worthy of a compete assessment to determine the cause, even though the underlying pathology is not often determined. In the paper by Henley et al, 3 patients were reported in whom the development of gynecomastia was associated with repeated exposure to topical products containing lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved once use of the products ceased. The patients were 4 5/12, 10 1/12, and 7 10/12 years of age and presented gynecomastia of 2-3 weeks, 5 months, and 1 month duration, respectively. They had no exposure to exogenous estrogens (ingestants, salves, or ointments) and did not report using drugs, medications, soy products, herbal supplements, or lotions. Breast sizes were Tanner stage 2, ranging in size from 2.0 to 4.0 cm in diameter and genitalia were prepubertal Tanner stage 1. Laboratory data were unremarkable with normal serum concentrations of sex steroids and other hormones. The mother of one patient reported applying “healing balm†which contained lavender oil daily shortly before breasts were noted. Another patient was applying a styling gel to his hair and scalp every morning and regularly using shampoo, both containing lavandaula angustifolia (lavender) oil and maleleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for 9 months. The last patient also used lavender-scented commercial skin lotions and soap intermittently. The gynecomastia was resolved in these 3 patents once these products were discontinued. Furthermore, the authors performed studies in human breast-cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-kb2 to determine the estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, respectively, of the oils used by the patients to determine if the oils were the culprit in the development of gynecomastia. These cells express estrogen or androgen receptors and were cultured with various concentrations of the lavender and tee tree oil. Luciferase assays, reverse-transciptase, and real time polymerase-chain reactions (PCR) analyses were performed. Both oils stimulated luciferase activity in MCF-1 cells in a dose-dependant manner. The estrogen receptor antagonist, fulvestrant, inhibited the transactivation of the luciferase, indicating that the activity of the oils was estrogen-receptor dependent. Further experiments indicated that the 2 oils modulated the expression of the estrogen regulated endogenous genes in a manner similar to the effect of 1nM 17 beta-estradiol. The potential antiandrogenic properties of lavender and tea tree oil were performed in the MDA-kb2 cells with androgen receptors trans-fected with an androgen-inducible reporter plasmid. Neither lavender or tea tree oil transactivated the luciferase reporter plasmid at any concentration tested; whereas the cells with the androgen-receptor agonist dihydrotestosterone (DHT) expressed an increase in luciferase activity that was almost 4 times greater than the controls. Transactivation of the luciferase reporter plasmid by 0.1 nM DHT was inhibited by both lavender and tea tree oil in a concentration dependent manner and inhibited androgen inducible genes. The antiandrogenic properties of the oils did not cause down regulation of the expression of the androgen receptors. The authors concluded that lavender and tea tree oils contain endocrine-disrupting activity that cause an imbalance in estrogen and androgen pathway signaling resulting in prepubertal gynecomastia.
Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA. Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils. New Eng J Med. 2007;356:479-85."
It would seem to me that both of these would give you side effects though.......................................just my opinion.
I seen a guy on one board who had pictures of himself after using tea tree oil shampoo for many months who had a "gut" and some gyno. He got off the tea tree oil shampoo and took his picture again several months later with no man-boobs and a relatively flat stomach. It made me think................
The following is a review of a recent small study on lavender oil and its potential estrogenic effects (with associated breast enlargement in young boys) by ACHS Professor Dr. Arianna Staruch ND.
This recent experience highlights that essential oils contain biologically active constituents which can have physiologic effects when used topically. The use of these oils should be by those with appropriate training. Indiscriminate exposure of the public to essential oils may need to be evaluated for possible risks.
Is Lavender Essential Oil Associated with breast enlargement in young boys?
A study published in the NEJM this week raised the possibility that lavender essential oil found in common beauty products had caused breast enlargement (gynecomastia) in three young boys in Colorado. The breast enlargement resolved when the boys stopped using the products. The products all contained lavender essential oil, and included a healing balm, soap, body lotion, shampoo and hair gel. (The shampoo and hair gel also contained tea tree oil.) Hormone levels in all three boys remained normal throughout.
The researchers then tested tea tree and lavender oil in vitro, and both were found to stimulate the estrogen receptor and block the androgen receptor. This kind of disruption of hormone signaling pathways is thought to be responsible for gynecomastia and early puberty associated with known endocrine disruptors such as soy, pharmaceuticals, dioxins, furans, and organohalogens. Assessment of estrogenic activity of essential oil constituents has found that citral and geraniol can bind to estrogen receptors in vitro, but did not show estrogenic activity in a mouse model. Lavender essential oil contains geranyl acetate, a compound related to geraniol.
So was it the lavender that cased the abnormal breast enlargement? We can only suspect but not be sure. Because the gynecomastia resolved when the products were stopped, we can make a strong assumption that the products were the cause. None of the boys had been exposed to any known hormone disruptors including soy. The only obvious similarity in the products was the presence of lavender oil, however even the author of the study states that we cannot rule out that other components in the products also possess endocrine disrupting capability. Lavender essential oil was shown in vitro studies to bind to and stimulate the estrogen receptor but animal studies have not shown that this binding translates to estrogenic activity in vivo. However, children are extremely sensitive to estradiol, and no threshold has been established below which no hormonal effects can be seen in children exposed to known endocrine disruptors.
Does this mean that lavender essential oil is not safe for use in children? Compared to the number of children that are exposed to products containing lavender essential oil every day, only a very few may have had this response. In fact in the reported study, a fraternal twin brother of one of the boys also used the lavender skin lotion, but not the lavender soap, and did not show any signs of gynecomastia. However it is only prudent to be aware that the indiscriminate use of essential oils in frequently used household and beauty products may pose some risk to some children.
Should we change the way use lavender essential oil therapeutically? Lavender essential oil has long been viewed as an oil with few if any contraindications or side effects. In light of this study, maybe we should reconsider the use of lavender during pregnancy, nursing or in those with a history of hormone sensitive cancers.
This recent experience highlights that essential oils contain biologically active constituents, which can have physiologic effects when used topically. The use of these oils should be by those with appropriate training. Indiscriminate exposure of the public to essential oils may need to be evaluated for possible risks. It is recommended that the public seek out a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) by searching the Registered Aromatherapists Register at http://www.aromatherapycouncil.org/index.html. All RA’s have passed the national ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy and have completed a minimum of a one year Level 2 program in aromatherapy from a college or school that is in compliance with the current NAHA Educational Guidelines. Registration is a mark of the candidates dedication to the Aromatherapy field and to the safety of his or her clients and customers.
Footnotes:
How do environmental estrogen disruptors induce precocious puberty? Massart, et al; Minerva Pediatr 2006 Jun; 58(3):247
Assessment of estrogenic activity in some common essential oil constituents. Hoews MJ, et al; J. Pharm Pharmacol. 2002 Nov; 54(11):1521
Anticonflict effects of lavender oil and identification of its active constituents. Umezu T; et al; Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Dec; 85(4):713
The sensitivity of the child to sex steroids: possible impact of exogenous estrogens. Aksglaede L, et al; Hum Reprod Update. 2006 Jul-Aug; 12(4):342
More......................[url]http://www.gg ... 2/ab19.cfm[/url]
"Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils
« Back to Volume 23, Issue 2, June 2007 - Table of Contents
Print this article
E-mail to a colleague
Prepubertal gynecomastia is rare and should always be considered pathological and worthy of a compete assessment to determine the cause, even though the underlying pathology is not often determined. In the paper by Henley et al, 3 patients were reported in whom the development of gynecomastia was associated with repeated exposure to topical products containing lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved once use of the products ceased. The patients were 4 5/12, 10 1/12, and 7 10/12 years of age and presented gynecomastia of 2-3 weeks, 5 months, and 1 month duration, respectively. They had no exposure to exogenous estrogens (ingestants, salves, or ointments) and did not report using drugs, medications, soy products, herbal supplements, or lotions. Breast sizes were Tanner stage 2, ranging in size from 2.0 to 4.0 cm in diameter and genitalia were prepubertal Tanner stage 1. Laboratory data were unremarkable with normal serum concentrations of sex steroids and other hormones. The mother of one patient reported applying “healing balm†which contained lavender oil daily shortly before breasts were noted. Another patient was applying a styling gel to his hair and scalp every morning and regularly using shampoo, both containing lavandaula angustifolia (lavender) oil and maleleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for 9 months. The last patient also used lavender-scented commercial skin lotions and soap intermittently. The gynecomastia was resolved in these 3 patents once these products were discontinued. Furthermore, the authors performed studies in human breast-cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-kb2 to determine the estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, respectively, of the oils used by the patients to determine if the oils were the culprit in the development of gynecomastia. These cells express estrogen or androgen receptors and were cultured with various concentrations of the lavender and tee tree oil. Luciferase assays, reverse-transciptase, and real time polymerase-chain reactions (PCR) analyses were performed. Both oils stimulated luciferase activity in MCF-1 cells in a dose-dependant manner. The estrogen receptor antagonist, fulvestrant, inhibited the transactivation of the luciferase, indicating that the activity of the oils was estrogen-receptor dependent. Further experiments indicated that the 2 oils modulated the expression of the estrogen regulated endogenous genes in a manner similar to the effect of 1nM 17 beta-estradiol. The potential antiandrogenic properties of lavender and tea tree oil were performed in the MDA-kb2 cells with androgen receptors trans-fected with an androgen-inducible reporter plasmid. Neither lavender or tea tree oil transactivated the luciferase reporter plasmid at any concentration tested; whereas the cells with the androgen-receptor agonist dihydrotestosterone (DHT) expressed an increase in luciferase activity that was almost 4 times greater than the controls. Transactivation of the luciferase reporter plasmid by 0.1 nM DHT was inhibited by both lavender and tea tree oil in a concentration dependent manner and inhibited androgen inducible genes. The antiandrogenic properties of the oils did not cause down regulation of the expression of the androgen receptors. The authors concluded that lavender and tea tree oils contain endocrine-disrupting activity that cause an imbalance in estrogen and androgen pathway signaling resulting in prepubertal gynecomastia.
Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA. Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils. New Eng J Med. 2007;356:479-85."
It would seem to me that both of these would give you side effects though.......................................just my opinion.
I seen a guy on one board who had pictures of himself after using tea tree oil shampoo for many months who had a "gut" and some gyno. He got off the tea tree oil shampoo and took his picture again several months later with no man-boobs and a relatively flat stomach. It made me think................
