For several years, doctors have warned about the use of certain essential oils presenting a risk to health in the event of misuse or contraindications. This is particularly the case of tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil today incriminated for their endocrine disrupting activity.

Among the most popular essential oils are lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil. Many everyday consumer products contain it (soaps, deodorants, lotions, shampoos, styling products and laundry). But their success could be called into question by the findings of a team of American researchers.

A study * conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has just confirmed the suspected link between the use of these essential oils and the risk of abnormal breast growth in young boys, called prepubertal gynecomastia. The study demonstrated the causal link and the modalities of action of their components on estrogen receptors and androgen receptors in cells. However, the components at the origin of this endocrine disrupting effect, in particular eucalyptol, 4-terpineol, dipentene / limonene and alpha-terpineol, could be found in most essential oils.

As a precaution, the health authorities advise against the use of essential oils in children, but also in pregnant or breastfeeding women and the elderly suffering from chronic pathologies. Essential oils could soon even their use of regulated advantage. At BIOSME, we have decided to ban essential oils from the hygiene products we are developing in the daydry probiotics range, in order to avoid any potential risk of allergy or adverse effects. It is important to remember that the use of natural products is not always without risk and that the advice of a doctor is always advised.

*ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING EFFECT OF LAVENDER AND TEA TREE OILS: PRODUCTS NOT SO INOFFENSIVE ...