Environmental

Lavender and tea tree oils (topical)

Environmental factor.

In practice

It depends on the case; there is no single guideline.

Precautions

Caution with essential oils applied to children.

Effect by goal · level of evidence

Gynecomastia in children (endocrine disruption)

harms Low-moderate study (A)

Series of 3 healthy boys with gynecomastia (breast growth) that appeared when using products with lavender and tea tree oil and resolved when they were stopped; in the laboratory both oils showed estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity. A signal that they may act as hormone disruptors.

View the study (study) →

In depth

Environmental · Highest evidence: Low-moderate · 1 finding

⚠️ Caution with essential oils applied to children.

Findings

Gynecomastia in boys (endocrine disruption) — harms (Low-moderate, study). Series of 3 healthy boys with gynecomastia (breast enlargement) that appeared with the use of products containing lavender and tea tree oil and resolved when they stopped using them; in the laboratory, both oils showed estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity. A signal that they may act as hormone disruptors. 17267908

Information, not medical advice. Prescription drugs require a doctor.

Information, not medical advice. Scientific evidence reflects the quality of the studies.