Lavender & Tea Tree Oil for estrogen +
HI,
I have heard conflicting information regarding these two items. I have avoided the Tea tree oil, but now I see that lavender is in my young kids shampoo. Since I am the one giving them baths each night, I am wondering if I should switch shampoos. Trying so hard not to become neurotic, but want to eliminate what items that are super easy to change-kwim? Anyway, what have you ladies heard regarding the use of lavender and tea tree oil?
Thanks, V
Comments
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v, I know what you mean. I love the smell of lavender and finally decided that I'm not going to worry about it. I just don't believe that any 1 thing (except maybe genetics and synthetic hormones like bc pills & HRT) can be the sole cause of bc, but that it's more an accumulation of stressors on us, and that it's impossible to get rid of every suspected ingredient. There are many things I have eliminated from my diet & life -- from HRT to soy protein isolate to most meat and dairy products, to microwaving and household chemicals. But I refuse to obsess about lavender or Tea Tree Oil (which I hadn't heard of being a danger).
But obviously these are questions we each have to personally weigh and decide on, because worry is probably as bad as anything else! Deanna
PS ~ Just wanted to add, have you asked your onc? His opinion/advice should also weigh into your decision.
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Lavender is extremely estrogenic, it wouldn't hurt to switch shampoos. I know we can't get too paranoid but if its something as simple as changing shampoos I would.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/145763/tea_tree_oil_and_lavender_linked_to.html?cat=5
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I have to agree with Fairy. If it's something like changing shampoo or a product/products that you are using every day or exposing yourself to all of the time, it's definitely something to think about. Here and there is probably alright I'm sure, but...... JMO
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Gals, I just did a quick search re. this because I love lavender, and while I've also heard that it's highly estrogenic, I don't recall seeing the research on it. So this is the most recent study I found: http://meeting.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/27/15S/1516
Lavender and tee tree oil are definitely mentioned as being a concern by reputable sources like The Livestrong Foundation and the NIH -- http://www.livestrong.com/article/311307-effects-of-lavender-tea/ -- but either without research references, or citing the observation of a Colorado pediatric endocronolgist who made the connection based on 3 little boys. http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niehs-31.htm
I totally agree that changing brands makes absolute sense if it concerns you, but I'm also curious if anyone has seen actual research to back up the concern. Or is the concern possibly all stemming from an observational report based on 3 little boys, when the ASCO's study seems to reach a different conclusion? Deanna
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Here's a link on lavender from food for breast cancer.
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/lavender
Since my diagnosis I have thrown away lots of lavender products I had. Amazing how many I had around the house - even lavender essential oil.
This site also has good articles and links.
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I was using lavender oil every day and saw the same article that I believe was referred to. I also heard that we are supposed to avoid tea tree too. Ugh. That's in all of my shampoos and it's a bummer . Letting go of the straight oil and not the huge shampoo bottle of Aveda shampoo I have. I also am hearing about Vitamin A being incosmetics being a problem. I don't want to be afraid of my world... But I don't want to be in denial either.
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Cyborg-i know what you mean. I also don't want to be afraid of everything, but in the same token, I want to know that I am doing everything I can.
I have been trying to change my personal products-shampoo, lotions and make-up. I am finding that it is all natural, it frequently has tea tree, lavender and/or soy. It really makes finding products more challenging. But, I have to admit, doing this has made me feel for powerful. I guess I am finding that i have a little more control. Something that has been missing for a while.
V
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I recently researched this issue because I'd stopped using these products after hearing of the concerns and it was honestly inconvenient at times. Tea tree oil is wonderful for the itch of bug bites, for instance. So, I learned that all the concern is due to the Colorado doctor's theory as to why he encountered 3 little boys with hormonal issues. There was no research, no quizzing of the parents to see if there were any other possible causes, etc. Other doctors, websites, and such latched onto his theory and accepted it as truth. Actual research (see link posted by Deanna) shows no such risk so I'm happlily back to using TTO.
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ASCO performed a study of lavender and tea tree oil on FSH levels in 2009....
http://www.asco.org/ascov2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=65&abstractID=35082
I actually was concerned because I use tea tree oil for so many things - and it is also in a product I use on my dog - he has terrible skin allergies. But it still makes sense to switch to something without these two products if you can do so. Personally, I have lavender hedges - nearly six feet tall - and I am always touching, pruning, watering them. They are too beautiful for me to take them out....
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Well, that link was a dud. Here is the text of the article:
A study of lavender and tea tree oils on postmenopausal FSH levels and hot flash severity.
Meeting:2009
ASCO Annual Meeting
Author(s):R. D. Cohn, C.
Bornhauser, D. MacManus, M. Sadakane, W. Read; University of California, San
Diego, La Jolla, CAAbstract:
Background: Products containing lavender and tea tree oil have been
linked to prepubertal male gynecomastia.(N Engl J Med 356:479-485) This implies
that these products may be phytoestrogens, or plant products with estrogenic
effects. Exogenous estrogens increase the risk of developing breast cancer and
could counteract benefit from adjuvant hormonal manipulations in women with a
history of breast cancer. We designed a study to determine the effects of
lavender and tea tree oil on healthy postmenopausal women's FSH as a means to
determine the estrogenic effect of both products. Hot flashes are a side effect
of decreased endogenous estrogen, and in this study we used hot flash severity
as an additional assay of estrogenic effect. Methods: Lavender lotion and
tea tree oil products were generously donated by The Body Shop. Nine healthy
postmenopausal women suffering from hot flashes were asked to apply lavender
lotion and tea tree oil according to product directions for a week each, with a
washout period in between. Participants were menopausal with baseline FSH >
26 IU/mL. Serum FSH was obtained at baseline, after each lotion and after the
washout period. Participants also recorded daily hot flash number and severity.
Average daily hot flash severity was calculated for each patient during each
period, with lotion use periods compared to Paired, 2-tailed T-tests were used
to compare average hot flash severity for each participant as well as FSH values
as compared to the baseline obtained before it. Results: Compliance was
excellent. No significant differences were seen between time periods with either
product for either measure. In no case did FSH dip to premenopausal levels. No
indication of improvement in hot flash frequency or severity was seen.
Conclusions: In our population, the lavender and tea tree oil products
showed no estrogenic effects. This is similar to clinical trials of
phytoestrogens, which as used by humans are not potent enough to affect FSH or
hot flash severity. Both lotions can probably be used without increasing the
risk of recurrent or de novo breast cancer. We intend one more study period in
which participants will use a large daily amount of lavender lotion, again
tracking hot flash severity and FSH. -
The link did not work and so I tried to paste it, but it was one, hot unformatted mess - hence the deleted post. I hope this is better:
A study of lavender and tea tree oils on postmenopausal FSH levels and hot flash severity.Sub-category:Cancer Prevention Category:Cancer Prevention/Epidemiology Meeting:2009 ASCO Annual Meeting [American Society of Clinical Oncology]Session Type and Session Title:General Poster Session, Cancer PreventionAuthor(s):R. D. Cohn, C. Bornhauser, D. MacManus, M. Sadakane, W. Read; University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA Abstract:Background: Products containing lavender and tea tree oil have been linked to prepubertal male gynecomastia.(N Engl J Med 356:479-485) This implies that these products may be phytoestrogens, or plant products with estrogenic effects. Exogenous estrogens increase the risk of developing breast cancer and could counteract benefit from adjuvant hormonal manipulations in women with a history of breast cancer. We designed a study to determine the effects of lavender and tea tree oil on healthy postmenopausal women's FSH as a means to determine the estrogenic effect of both products. Hot flashes are a side effect of decreased endogenous estrogen, and in this study we used hot flash severity as an additional assay of estrogenic effect. Methods: Lavender lotion and tea tree oil products were generously donated by The Body Shop. Nine healthy postmenopausal women suffering from hot flashes were asked to apply lavender lotion and tea tree oil according to product directions for a week each, with a washout period in between. Participants were menopausal with baseline FSH > 26 IU/mL. Serum FSH was obtained at baseline, after each lotion and after the washout period. Participants also recorded daily hot flash number and severity. Average daily hot flash severity was calculated for each patient during each period, with lotion use periods compared to Paired, 2-tailed T-tests were used to compare average hot flash severity for each participant as well as FSH values as compared to the baseline obtained before it. Results: Compliance was excellent. No significant differences were seen between time periods with either product for either measure. In no case did FSH dip to premenopausal levels. No indication of improvement in hot flash frequency or severity was seen. Conclusions: In our population, the lavender and tea tree oil products showed no estrogenic effects. This is similar to clinical trials of phytoestrogens, which as used by humans are not potent enough to affect FSH or hot flash severity. Both lotions can probably be used without increasing the risk of recurrent or de novo breast cancer. We intend one more study period in which participants will use a large daily amount of lavender lotion, again tracking hot flash severity and FSH.
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Wow, I can not believe this. I just purchased both : (. The tee tree oil was for my scars and the lavender oil, just because I love the smell of it.
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Sigh. Is there a list somewhere of all the stuff that is estrogenic? I feel like englishrose. Every time I try to be natural I feel like I'm making mistakes.
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In another forum, someone posted a link to the Sloan-Kettering website. Here's their statement on lavender. They say it was weak estrogenic qualities in vitro (in the test-tube). It's not always predictable how much that translates to "in vivo" or clinical trials. You can also search on the keyword estrogen and read about other substances.I wonder how much influence this could have with my lavender shampoo. It seems like the cancer nutritionists/scientists have backed off on the issue of eating soy (highly estrogenic and eaten) so it's hard to know the risk of any of these estrogenic substances. I respect the concept of "better safe than sorry" (I use it myself) but at some point it feels like I could go crazy worrying about everything I come in contact with. Frustrating!
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Interesting. I've switched all my cleaning products to a lavender/eucalyptus/tea tree oil combo. I guess you just can't win.
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I agree with Cynthia, could those three boys be the victims of carcinogens instead ?
"The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics came out with the news two years ago that Johnson & Johnson's iconic baby shampoo contained the formaldehyde-releasing preservative quaternium-15, as well as the chemical byproduct 1,4-dioxane. Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that "the presence of 1,4-dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is cause for concern," and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services added formaldehyde to its list of known human carcinogens in June 2011"
I have thrown out all Johnson&Johnson products - if a company has no qualms about making baby shampoo containing the above ingredients, let alone Baby powder .....
http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm
I love lavender, but use it sparingly and will use TTO on cold sores, works wonders !
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FWIW, I asked my integrative oncologist about lavender and whether I should avoid it because of estrogenic effects. He seemed unconcerned about it and said that using it in products such as lotions or shampoos was highly unlikely to cause a problem. Being paraoid, I still try to avoid it though...
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Both my RO and MO said the amounts we get topically from soaps, shampoos ointments is not going to cause a problem. That said, I still chose to eliminated them. They also said I don't have to worry about parabens, but I am working on eliminating them too. They did say not to overdo the soy I injest, but that I can still have it. As much as I love soy sauce and tofu, the thought of what it might be doing to me turns my stomach and I can't bring myself to eat it. If only I could do that with chocolate.....
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I went ahead and eliminated these from my life, but it's really more for peace of mind than anything. I went really natural after my Dx, but I've eased back into a few items. I've almost decided to begin using regular Lancome foundation again, mainly due to the fact that I cannot get good coverage or even skin tone with any of the "natural" ones.
As for pthalates, BPA, etc., I still avoid those. I buy all my skincare products from Whole Foods, and I avoid unnatural fragrances where possible as well. I figure the less chemicals in my life, the better.
Cleaning products? I use a lot of vinegar, but recently had to cave and purchase some bleach based products for my bathroom. I had my hubbie use them and then we used a lot of water and aired the bathroom out before I entered the room.
Anyway, I try to eliminate toxic substances where possible, but I am learning not to obsess over this.
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i don;t think the small amount of tea tree oil in shampoo is enough to worry about. My sis in law *passed 2 yrs. ago from breast cancer, gave me a bottle of pure tea tree oil to put on finger nails. i then read it can be harmfull to children and pets.. so it's sits on my bathroom counter. Every now and then i smell it and put a little on my fingernails.
there is a rather expensive product called Basic H made by Shaklee.. i is a concentrate and 20 dollars will buy a year's worth of product. I love it. I also love orange oil based cleaners. The conentrated ones you can find at a hardware store in gallons. i love that too.
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I took both of these out of my regime based on research I read.
Sure it seems like, "the little you get from this can't hurt" but when you add up product after product that we might be using, the amounts might be big enuf to cause problems.
However, I love the fragrance of lavendar and use this on things that do not touch my body. Using lavendar body lotion or drinking lavendar earl grey tea (yes, this exists), is not something I want to do. I also told my DH not to use stuff like this as men seem to be getting too much estrogen exposure these days.
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Even though no one has posted here for a couple of years, I thought it worth sharing the latest information on lavender essential oil because it has taken such a beating with the 2007 research that was done. I thought you might like to know that Robert Tisserand, an expert on essential oils, has squashed the bad publicity that lavender oil was getting in this article:
http://roberttisserand.com/2013/02/lavender-oil-is...
I actually teach on my website that lavender oil is therapeutic to use when you have had breast cancer, and here is an excellent study done in 2014 that proves that:
Comparative studies of cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of different extracts and the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia on malignant and normal cells:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24571090
Ladies, many many essential oils have proven anti-cancer benefits - and I have the research to back that up. Contact me if you would like to see it, I have a whole document full of links to good research.
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I read this thread to feb 18 2012. seems to me about everything is estrogenic. I'm in love with thujone stuff: most artimis the member with a numbers name knows a lot about essential oils. I'd like to know some good ones without thujone for off days.??absenthe, then cedar wood oil has the next amount, then lavendar or rosemary. I use the essential oils topically but not all everyday. tea tree oil is in the mild garynull wash I use to clean it. I think in his shamppoo & conditioner as well. not sure.
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Thanks for those links Marnie. Very informative.
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the lavendae essential oil does seem to last longer than even the artemis, & dries better too, but it is estrogenic while the they say thujone isn't. how can thujone be not estrogenic while the carrier, lavendar or whatever is? is that like the 2 estrogen pathways, plant estrogens okay chemicals not. not sure I believe that though
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Besides the estrogenic issue being discussed here, NEVER use pure undiluted essential oils, especially tea tree oil, directly on the skin. Always dilute, dilute, dilute. Pure essential oils can penetrate to the blood stream (they can be hydrophlic or lipophilic) and can actually cause some problems with the liver, raising your enzyme readings and worse, if you use too much of it over time. THIS APPLIES TO YOUR PETS AS WELL. Many products promote their essential oil content, but our dogs and cats, and assorted critters whom we take care of, are even more sensitive to these essential oils than we are.
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I put them on the dressing after the honey. & I wonder the honey probably feeds it, but it helps the dressing stick & keeps the bacteria down easily. (menuka honey, not cheep), & the oils can't be as strong as infusions, which are very unnatural as well. I researched one, I forget which, a while ago, they put in fetal calf cells then took them out for the finished chemical. I simply don't get it. the essential oils work well for me, not curative probably but makes my life tolarable with this trouble
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Any thought on Young Living products?
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