Lavender

[#1]

I have read (from reputable sources) that lavender can mimic estrogen, and should not be used on children (or adults who have had certain estrogen-related cancers) in the form of soaps, lotions, and especially oils.

It was apparently discovered when a number of pre-adolescent boys were developing breasts. (Tea-tree oil was also implicated, but probably in a different study).

I know that many people are not aware of this, so I think that a warning or mention on lavender-containing products would be helpful.

[Former_Member]

Hmmmmm...very interesting...I am doing some research now about a French method called "neat"..I will have to post more when I read more. It is the method of using pure essential oils on the skin undiluted (which I still highly advise against, but I am going to read about this technique.) Looks like it is used to treat serious burns, and disorders of the feet. Hmmm Interesting.

[Former_Member]

Boy....this is a complicated process. In order to start using this "neat" method, you need to purge your body of toxins first, and eliminate all cosmetics containing artificial fragrance. It sounds way to dangerous...and I again advise against this. Aromatherapy should not be taken lightly. The art should not be misused.

[Former_Member]

ElementsOfSaffron says:
RUNS WITH SCISSORS>>>>

You did not break this down to lamens terms very well for many...and now people are misinterpreting again....so I will help people to understand better.

NO ESSENTIAL OILS SHOULD BE USED DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN...however, this is what they did in this study. I personally find their method testing to be assanine, and therefore inconclusive. There were no test subjects...and they used a powerful essential oil, in a manner in which it should not be used.

Most likely anything you buy that is "lavender scented" really doesn't have true lavender essential oil in it anyhow, so there isn't much cause to be concerned.

As a rule.... All essential oils must be diluted to 1% with a carrier when used a topically. No one should ever buy a bottle of any essential oil and just dab it on their skin! They are the life and blood of the plant from which they were distilled. They have such a complicated structure to them....they are full of all the plants life and wisdom.
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I thought I had summarized things in laymen's terms, but perhaps I didn't do it simply enough.

This was not an experimental study on children. These were three pre-pubescent boys who developed breasts. Their parents took them to the doctor to find out what was going on. Since pre-pubescent boys only do that from an exogenous reagent, the parent was questioned as to what exogenous compounds (skin, food, air) were applied to the children. No researcher applied anything to the children, and it's assinine to jump to that conclusion when it's clearly stated in the study that it was the parents. A basic reading of the subject case histoies in the study would reveal that.

The experimental part of the study was to take cells that respond to estrogen, and see if they respond in the same way to the two compounds known already to have mild anti-androgenic (male secondary) and pro-estrogenic (female secondary) activity.

One can't assume, just because a compound is removed, and the pathology reversed, that it had an effect. That would be anecdotal. So the compounds were actually tested in cells, in a scientifically-accepted manner, to see if there was an effect. NEJM is a well-referreed journal, and those reviewing articles are very critical of how studies are done. If there are holes, it just doesn't get published. ANd letters that question, afterwards, are also published.

Of course they added in the conclusions that further studies are warranted, because one can't tell if it's an across-the-board response in children, or there might be a genetic susceptibility, or whatever. They also noted that there's a dose-response, and some might even be susceptible to lower doses. So we don't have the answer to the who-specifically-and-how-much question. And, indeed, many children may have no effect at all, even in higher doses.

When I read the OP, I was kinda curious. ANd I was totally expecting that the info came from some fear-mongering blog post based on who-knows-what. Certainly not science. I was ready to doubt such conclusions, since in all my life, I'd not heard that either (& I love lavender!). Imagine my surprise when I saw the NEJM link. I had to be convinced, since I came in with a doubting mind.

I didn't read the specifics of what the parents had been applying to the children, to know what % the oils were, or if they were part of something else. I do remember that the duration had bee 3 - 7 months, whatever it was, before the breast development prompted them to see a doctor.

[Former_Member]

The four-year-old: "The patient's mother reported applying a compounded "healing balm" containing lavender oil to his skin starting shortly before the initial presentation".

The ten-year-old: " On questioning, it was determined that the patient was not currently using drugs, herbal supplements, or herbal lotions but was applying a styling gel to his hair and scalp every morning and regularly using a shampoo. The labels of both the gel and the shampoo listed Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil as ingredients."

The 7-year-old: His history was positive for the use of lavender-scented soap and intermittent use of lavender-scented commercial skin lotions. The gynecomastia resolved completely a few months after use of scented soap and skin lotions was discontinued (personal communication from the patient's family). His fraternal twin used the same skin lotions, but not the lavender-scented soap, and did not have any gynecomastia.

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Perhaps the first case of the "healing balm" was an essential oil applied to the skin, but the others were soap, shampoo and hair gel.


It's good for people to be aware that some children may have a sensitivity. We worry enough about allergens, corn, wheat, milk, dye, and many other compounds in our children, where any of those may or may not affect the child, and may or may not even be based in fact. Awareness is good. Or isn't it?

[orchardfarmsoap]

piprobins your truth really speaks to the mistruths that spread so quickly. this claim, that has spread like wildfire, is one isolated study. we have centuries of tea tree and lavender oil use that speak differently. These oils have so many wonderful uses for burns, antiseptic, antifungal.... we really do benifit from natures cure. On the other side there is an interesting read about the failure of the cosmetic industry. this is truely scary but important to read.
Not Just a Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan

[Former_Member]

dennisanderson says:
I use lavender almost daily and havent grown any boobs yet :)

===
that's because you're an adult (at least post-pubescent) and have, presumably, adequate androgens, including testosterone.

and from the lack of boobs, I'd venture you're not a heavy pot smoker, either! :-)

[LeafandYard]

ElementsOfSaffron says:
The highest percentage I have ever seen recommended for children is 2%

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Yes, you're right. I think I was thinking about something else (at day job, no notes to reference like I said).

I have never heard that about neat. Neat just means direct application without diluting, I thought (and only a few oils are ok to be used this way). I didn't know there was a process!


The NIH report said more research is needed. Seeing as how there's a lack of information on an actual study to confirm these findings with a general population sample in further research, it makes me believe the actual risk is quite minimal.

[ShugaRose]

*marking for later

[Former_Member]

marking - Thanks

[Former_Member]

Fyrecreek says:

The NIH report said more research is needed. Seeing as how there's a lack of information on an actual study to confirm these findings with a general population sample in further research, it makes me believe the actual risk is quite minimal

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and it's the kind of study they can't actually do experimentally. They can't apply various concentrations of essential oils, or soap, or shampoo, or whatever, to boy children so see if they sprout breasts! That's just not allowed.

And animals do not respond in the same way, so conclusions based on animal studies have their caveats, too.

What they are left with is longitudinal samples and questionnaires, requiring hundreds of respondents, or, in this cases, applying a known concentration to human cells in vitro.

However, since this study was published, I expect that the authors are collecting the case histories that doctors are now forwarding to them. Now that pediatricians are aware of that possibility, they will pass those patients on to the researchers.

It's obviously rare, but we become concerned with many rare possibilities, and take precautions.

I just wish I had known this as a teenager!! maybe I would not have had to wait so long! :-)

[SundayGirlDesigns]

marking

[FaeryLaLa]

Wow - I've never heard of that! I always used Johnson and Johnson Lavender baby bath products on my kids. My pediatrician also recommended a couple of drops of tea tree oil in a large spray bottle of water. Spray it on your child's head in morning and it helps prevent them from catching lice in school.

Guess you always need to double check everything!

[Former_Member]

RunzwithScissors...

Thank you so much for tackling this from your scientific point of view...and breaking it down. That study was hard to follow for me...and I understand alot of scientific jargon, lol. I do greatly appreciate your view!

I like the humorous twist you throw on your logic! Your shop name suits you!

[TsunamiSuds]

RunzwithScissors said:
dennisanderson says:
I use lavender almost daily and havent grown any boobs yet :)

===
that's because you're an adult (at least post-pubescent) and have, presumably, adequate androgens, including testosterone.

and from the lack of boobs, I'd venture you're not a heavy pot smoker, either! :-)
__________

id venture you are incorrect.

[Former_Member]

dennis not an adult?

[Former_Member]

Thanks, ElementsOfSaffron.:-)

I tend to write rather drily -- lots of scientific articles and all. It's really hard to put things in laymen's terms for us. The hardest abstract we ever worked on for a grant proposal was the "laymen's abstract" required for one proposal.

and this article for a lay publication:
http://www.mda.org/publications/quest/q114mcardle.html

It's quite a different way to write!

[Former_Member]

That is so interesting! I think that lavender has actually been used with children because it supposedly has a calming effect on them. I knew a bus driver who would spray a little before the students got on the bus.
Thanks for the notice!

[Former_Member]

Yes....and I bet that none of those children suffered from prepubescent mastitis . See....they were all test subjects and didn't even know it. Do you think you could find all of those kids.....rofl! Sorry, I am trying to shed some light on this subject....and make a funny.

It would be so sad for people to steer clear of Mother Nature's wonderful gift of lavender or tea tree oil because of this study. I bet if most of you look under your sinks.......you will find much greater cause for concern. You will find many more studies and precautions for common household cleaners than you can shake a stick at. This is one study...and 3 incidents.

[Former_Member]

I think I need to change my shop name to "LavenderAdvocateInc...." ROFL! As you can see, I am not backing down!!

[Former_Member]

Runz....I could follow that article pretty well. I also think that cultural barriers have something to do with the ability to understand some writings.

Thanks so much for sharing. It is great to have such minded people as yourself among us.