Research Rebuttal: Gynecomastia & Essential Oils

Posted: March 5, 2007

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Answer: No. A single in vitro test and a case study does not warrant the quantum leap to the conclusion drawn. Prior to drawing such a conclusion (albeit “probably”—which did not appear in the somewhat sensational report title) a battery of in vitro tests combined with in vivo studies should be performed.

Question 3: Do lavender oil and tea tree oil possess estrogenic activity and what are the implications of such activity?

Answer: It is possible that a conclusion from the test run by Henley et al. is that both oils could indicate estrogenic activity; however, the biological significance of this is unknown.

Question 4: Does the reaction of either lavender oil or tea tree oil with an estrogen receptor mean that it reacts in in vivo tests the same way?

Answer: Translation of an in vitro test or tests to in vivo studies with the objective of obtaining conclusive evidence for estrogenic activity in humans requires a full understanding of the mechanisms associated with the activity, which we do not have.