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Estrogenic Effects of Tea Tree Oil

Apr 28, 2010 | By Linda Tarr Kent
Estrogenic Effects of Tea Tree Oil
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You'll find tea tree oil handy for treating a variety of respiratory and skin conditions. When you apply the oil topically, it is active against viruses, fungi and bacteria. In many cases, it's comparable to conventional medications in providing treatment, according to Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute. You'll find tea tree oil sold in drugstores in the United States. If you plan to use this oil, be aware that it has estrogenic effects.

Gynecomastia

A February 2007 "New England Journal of Medicine" article details the story of three boys who developed gynecomastia after using products like soap and hair styling products containing tea tree oil and lavender. Gynecomastia means development of breast tissue in males. The boys, who were not related but were treated by the same physician, were advised by the doctor to stop using the products. The gynecomastia disappeared within one year.

Breast Cancer Cells

The National Institutes of Health has tested tea tree oil for its effect on breast cancer cells, according to the book "Green Barbarians: Live Bravely on Your Home Planet," by Ellen Sandbeck. The NIH has found that tea tree has estrogenic effects that stimulate growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells.

Benign Thelarche

The estrogenic effect of tea tree oil may cause benign thelarche in girls, according to the book "When Puberty is Precocious: Scientific and Clinical Aspects," by Ora Hirsch Pescovitz and Emily C. Walvoord. This condition, in which breast tissue develops prematurely in girls, is most commonly seen in girls younger than 2 or older than 6, according to Children's Hospital of Seattle.

References

Article reviewed by J.A. Rist Last updated on: Apr 28, 2010

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