Essential oils link to boys growing breasts

LONDON: Exposure to lavender and tea tree oils could be causing young boys to develop breasts, as they contain chemicals that can mimic the effects of female hormones.

US researchers have identified chemicals in essential oils used in soaps, cleaning products and home remedies that could explain why some boys have developed a condition called prepubertal gynecomastia.

The condition, where men abnormally grow breasts, is rare before puberty but has become increasingly common.

Doctors are looking closely at common chemicals in the environment dubbed “endocrine disruptors”, which interrupt the production and action of hormones – the chemical messengers of the body.

“Society deems essential oils as safe,” said J. Tyler Ramsey, research fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

“However, they possess a diverse amount of chemicals and should be used with caution, because some of these chemicals are potential endocrine disruptors.”

Endocrine disruptors have become a growing area of research as they are widely used in other products, from cosmetics to drinks bottles.

The impact they have is poorly understood but has been linked to childhood obesity, fertility issues and increased cancer risk. – The Independent