There is chatter going around again on some social media apps about lavender essential oil being bad for boys and/or men in general and/or being a hormone disruptor or making boys/men feminine.

Please let me give you a little bit of insight before you go avoiding lavender for healing that rash.

This type of negative publicity, bolstered by vague claims or poorly done science, is the way that herbs/plants which were previously well-loved and historically highly acclaimed with loads of empirical records, have been discredited or gone out of favor by those who don't have extensive understanding of plants and instead choose to rely on profit motivated “science” funded by drug companies .

There are people in this world who would rather use synthetic chemicals and profit-making drugs than natural plants that anyone can grow. When you remember this it will cause you to pause and look for real facts stated by people without money manipulators controlling them.

This particular piece of urban legend has been around for nearly 20 years and is still spreading. Pasted below is a well-documented 2013 article by Robert Tisserand, a highly esteemed author of aromatherapy and essential oil books and textbooks including safety reviews.

Please remember that plants are typically going to be safer for you than man-made chemicals and synthetic drugs and synthetic fragrances. When you find articles that are being promoted by government agencies or drug sponsored organizations, please remember that it's these same agencies that gave us Roundup and approved nicotine for pregnancy and approved DDT, Talc, and Agent Orange, and a long list of drugs that have since been recalled after and only after many many people died.

Here’s the article in italics:

Lavender oil is not estrogenic

by Robert Tisserand | Feb 7, 2013 | Myth-busting, Safety | 15 comments

Lavender oil does not mimic estrogen nor does it enhance the body’s own estrogens. It is therefore not a ‘hormone disruptor’, cannot cause breast growth in young boys (or girls of any age), and is safe to use by anyone at risk for estrogen-dependent cancer. The lack of estrogenic action is the conclusion of a new report, which used a novel form of ‘uterotrophic’ assay.

This measures the effect of a test substance on the uterus of immature or estrogen-deprived female rats over three days. Any estrogenic action causes a rapid and measurable increase in uterine weight. The assay has been in use since the 1930s, was adopted by the OECD in 2007, and is now regarded as the “benchmark animal assay for estrogenic effects” (Politano 2013).

A 2007 report by Henley et al found that both lavender and tea tree oils had a weak in vitro estrogenic action. Lavender was suggested as the cause of three cases of prepubertal gynecomastia (breast growth) in boys, and tea tree was suggested in one case. The report was subsequently criticized on a number of grounds. For example it was pointed out that there was no evidence of either essential oil causing the gynecomastia in any of the four cases, and that in vitro estrogenic findings frequently do not extrapolate to a similar action in warm bodies (see Rebuttals, below).

Since 2007 there have been many warnings about lavender and tea tree oils that relate back to this study. Others, including myself, have suggested that such cautions are unnecessary and premature. The new research, in which considerable quantities of lavender oil were used, found that there was no increase in uterine weight, and so no estrogenic action.

The novel aspect of the uterotrophic assay was that the test substance – lavender oil – was applied to the skin, while the most common method is subcutaneous injection. This was changed in order to mimic the circumstances of the Henley et al 2007 case reports, and it also mimics the use of lavender oil in fragrances and personal care products. Lavender oil was used in two concentrations, 4% and 20% in corn oil. According to Politano et al 2013, these concentrations are respectively more than 6,000 and 30,000 times greater than a conservative estimate of human skin exposure from multiple cosmetic products containing lavender oil. They are also 5,000 and 1,000,000 times greater than the estimated exposure to lavender oil experienced by the Henley et al boys.

These calculations may seem exaggerated, but the massive differences are because in the uterotrophic assay, the lavender oil was applied in Hilltop Chambers patches, which do not allow any evaporation, or loss of essential oil by means other than dermal absorption. Examples of the quantities of fragrant substance absorbed from personal care products are shown below. The amount of fragrance absorbed from a shampoo, for instance, is 200 times less than the amount applied to the head. If amounts of dermally-absorbed lavender oil that are at least 5,000 times greater than any normal human exposure are not estrogenic, then we can be confident that this particular safety issue is not a concern.

Data from Cadby et al 2002

Safety in pregnancy is a broader question than hormonal action alone, since affects on the fetus, or even miscarriage, are theoretically possible with any substance. The question of uterine stimulation and miscarriage was thoroughly investigated here, and there is clearly no risk. As for fetal effects we know that linalool, a major constituent of lavender oil, is not fetotoxic to pregnant rats at an oral dose 1 g/kg/day for 16 days (equivalent to a human oral dose of 60 g, or 2 oz per day, and a total dose of 32 oz). The chances of lavender oil being fetotoxic in the amounts used in personal care products are negligible, considering the small amounts both applied to, and subsequently absorbed by human skin (Cadby et al 2002).

The new research findings represent a major development in our knowledge of lavender oil safety, since the possibility of estrogenic action now looks remote. While no single test should be taken as absolutely conclusive, we can expect the volume of noise about lavender being estrogenic to diminish considerably.

Rebuttals
Dean CJ 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 356:2543-2544

Kalyan S 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 356:2542-2544

Kemper KJ, Romm AJ, Gardiner P 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 356:2541-2542

Kurtz JL 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 356:2542-2543

Lawrence BM 2007 Estrogenic activity in lavender and tea tree oils: Part I. Perfumer & Flavorist 32:20-25

Lawrence BM 2007 Estrogenic activity in lavender and tea tree oils: Part II. Perfumer Flavorist 32:14-20

Tisserand R Tea tree and lavender not linked to gynecomastia

Other references
Cadby P A, Troy W R, Vey M G 2002 Consumer exposure to fragrance ingredients: providing estimates for safety evaluation. Regulatory Toxicology & Pharmacology 36: 246-252

Henley DV, Lipson N, Korach KS, Bloch CA 2007 Prebubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine 365(5): 479-485

Politano VT, Lewis EM, Hoberman AM et al 2008 Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of linalool in rats. International Journal of Toxicology 27:183-188

Politano VT, McGinty D, Lewis EM et al 2013 Uterotrophic assay of percutaneous lavender oil in immature female rats. International Journal of Toxicology

https://roberttisserand.com/2013/02/lavender-oil-is-not-estrogenic/

Thank Robert Tisserand!

Want more info? Try this article too:

https://salvatorebattaglia.com.au/blog/10-lavender-and-tea-tree-oils-are-not-oestrogenic

Please go forth and Boldly Enjoy the multitude of healthy benefits that truly natural Lavender plants provide to the human race.

Top 7 Tips & Tricks. Here’s some favorite ways to combat those achy days!

1. Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil is a common first reach for a headache. When applied at the first sign of pain, it typically works great.  Peppermint is best rubbed neat (no carrier oil added) on the forehead, temples and often most effectively, the back of neck, base of the head, and shoulders. (buy peppermint here)

2. Lavender: Some people prefer lavender essential oil used in the same way that you would use peppermint for headaches. This is most popular for allergy-triggered headaches. (buy lavender here)

3. Muscle Ease: This blend of essential oils includes Lavender, peppermint, sweet birch, wintergreen, and clove. It’s an amazing combination for reducing swelling and easing pain, so it works great for headaches, too. (buy muscle ease here)

4. Migraine B Gone: My all-time favorite for migraines is the Migraine B Gone essential oil blend. I absolutely love this blend. It comes in a straight oil for making your own dilution or neat application, and a ready to use skin rub that is diluted with carrier oils infused with 9 healing herbs. For migraines I can rub this stuff on neat on temples, forehead, back of neck and around eyes (not too close!) to stop the migraine dead before it starts. It is absolutely amazing if I get to it in time. The essential oil ingredients of this wonder blend are basil, peppermint and menthol. The nine healing herbs in the skin rub are arnica, comfrey, chamomile, chickweed, calendula, jewelweed, mullein, plantain, red clover. (massage oils are here) (Migraine essential oil is here)

5. Conquer: This is an awesome blend of anti-inflammatory pain kicking essential oils. Frankincense, Balsam Fir, Copaiba and Marjoram essential oils make a blend that smells good (not like medicine or overpowering) and kicks pain away quickly. This too is available ina skin rub blend with those super blessed 9 healing herbs. (massage oils are here) (Conquer essential oils are here)

6. Total Conquer: This is Conquer blend plus the migraine kicking basil from Migraine B Gone and a bit of Valerian, the herb that valium originated from. If this doesn’t totally conquer what ails you, you should go to bed (the valerian could make you sleepy). (massage oils are here) (Conquer essential oils are here)

7. Excalibur: “conquer’s sword” the ultimate in pain relief with a dose of mobility and flexibility restoration added in. This is Conquer’s 4 ingredients plus Lavender, Helichrysum, Geranium, and Cypress. It’s a huge favorite for ultimate relief. Add in those blessed 9 healing herbs and you’ve got bliss in a bottle! (massage oils are here) (Conquer essential oils are here)

Aromatherapy and essential oils have been recognized for centuries as medicines for treating ailments of various kinds including reducing headache pain. Tinctures and ointments were recognized by the British Pharmacopoeia for more than 200 years and used by physicians until the 1940s, when due to the war efforts, herbs and aroma preparations fell out of favor and were replaced by chemical drugs.

Another way to reduce muscle tension and migraines and headache symptoms is to apply a cold compress on the back of the neck at the base of the head, and the area of muscle pain. Of course, always wrap that cold pack in a thin towel.

Another migraine trick is a hot bath including mineral rich salts. (click HERE) Mineral rich spa salts allow the mineral (including magnesium) to soak into the skin, a lack of proper minerals in the muscles can be a trigger for migraines.

Grab your favs and stock your cabinet!

So when those stressy days hit and you need an answer quick, your cabinet is ready!

Be well. Be blessed. Be a Blessing.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for your support!

A Review by Robert Tisserand
The International Journal of Aromatherapy  Vol.1, No 1, February 1988

With special thanks to Christopher Dean, of Thursday Plantation and

The Australian Tea-Tree Industry Association, for his help in sourcing material.

Tea-tree (or ti-tree) oil is distilled from the fronds of a tree native to New South Wales, Australia, and parts of New Zealand. This tree, melaleuca alternifolia, is a member of the myrtle family, and is extremely hardy and disease-resistant. The leaves have been employed medicinally for centuries by New South Wales Aborigines, and the name is said to stem from a visit by Captain Cook, whose crew made a tea from the leaves.

Tea-tree oil is water-white in appearance, and has a fresh, spicy, agreeable odour. Until recently it was hardly known in aromatherapy outside Australia, but some recent clinical trials in France have helped to highlight its usefulness. Tea-tree oil turns out to be one of the most useful of all essential oils, especially as an antiseptic, and yet it has not previously been discussed in books on aromatherapy.

ANTISEPTIC POWER

The first to recognize the unique qualities of the essential oil was a government chemist from Sydney, A. R. Penfold. In 1925 he announced the results of laboratory experiments which showed that the oil was twelve times stronger than phenol (carbolic acid) which was then the universal standard for antiseptic substances. This led to further research and to the increasing use of the oil in medicine, dentistry and as a home remedy.

In 1930 a report in the Medical Journal of Australia' commented on its non- toxicity and lack of irritancy. The report noted enthusiastically that tea-tree oil dissolved pus and left the surfaces of infected wounds clean so that its germicidal action became more effective and without any apparent damage to the tissues. 'Dirty wounds, such as are frequently seen as the result of street accidents, may be washed or syringed out with a 10% watery lotion; the solvent properties will loosen and bring away the dirt which is usually ground in ... healing will readily take place.' in 1936 the same journal reported a very bad case of diabetic gangrene successfully treated with tea-tree oil. In 1937 it was pointed out that one of the outstanding features of the oil is that the presence of blood, pus or other organic matter actually increases the oil's antiseptic powers by some 10 to 12 per cent.

During the Second World War tea-tree oil was issued in first aid kits to army and navy units in the tropical regions. At one point demand so outstripped supply that synthetic antiseptics had to be substituted. This, coupled with the fervent post-war interest in antibiotic drugs, led to a decline of interest in tea-tree, which persisted right up to the 1970s. (2)

SKIN PROBLEMS

In April 1972 the results of a very thorough study were published on the use of tea-tree oil in many common foot problems. (3) The study covered sixty patients and concluded that the oil had relieved or eliminated foot symptoms in fifty-eight of them. of these, results were graded as excellent in thirty-eight cases. The problems treated included athlete's foot, corns, callouses and bunions, hammer toes, skin peeling or cracking, fungal infection under toe-nails and bromhidrosis.* The study took place over a period of six years, and treatment times varied from three weeks to four years. In his conclusion the author observes that, overall, the best results were obtained in treating bromhidrosis, an unpleasant and embarrassing condition'. The athlete's foot cases were found to be caused by one or more of four fungi (including Candida albicans), all of which responded to tea-tree oil.

Ringworm is a condition closely related to athlete's foot, and almost as common. Both are caused by similar fungi. There have been a great many reports of ringworm being rapidly cleared up with tea tree oil, and I have treated two cases, both of which were clear within three to four days.

Dr Paul Belaiche, Professor of Phytotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris Nord, published a number of trials using tea-tree oil in 1985. In his report on skin infections (5) he finds tea tree effective against problems due to straphylococcus, streptococcus, or candida albicans. Both acne and impetigo are shown to be clinically vulnerable to the oil, and Belaiche reports the most convincing results of all in the treatment of fungal nailbed infections, frequently caused by candida. Eight out of eleven patients with nailbed infections showed complete recovery with twice daily application of the oil for one to three months.

*Bromhidrosis is the medical term for 'smelly feet' and is caused by malodorous perspiration.

UROGENITAL DISORDERS

In June 1962 an American report was published in obstetrics and Gynecology on the use of tea-tree oil in trichomonal vaginitis. (4) Vaginitis simply means vaginal inflammation, which in this case is caused by Trichomonas, a very tiny animal microbe, a glagellate creature, which is a common cause of greenish-yellow discharge, often foul smelling, and soreness in the area. The study comprised 130 women, including ninety-six cases of trichomonal vaginitis, and also several cases of thrush and cervicitis. As controls the author treated fifty other cases with standard antitrichomonal suppositories. The tea tree oil was applied diluted by means of saturated tampons and douches, but was not given orally. Out of the 130 patients, all were successfully treated, and results were similar to the control group. Many patients commented on the pleasant odour of the oil, its cooling soothing effect and its efficiency in removing obnoxious vaginal odours. None of them complained of any irritation or burning.

More recently Dr Belaiche conducted two studies featuring tea-tree oil, the first of these on twenty-eight cases of thrush (infestation of the vagina with Candidaalbicans). Candida albicans (7) is normally present in the vagina, but its growth is kept in check by certain bacteria. A common cause of thrush is antibiotic therapy which results in the beneficial bacteria being destroyed, thus allowing Candida to flourish. This results in a white discharge, often with itching, soreness and pain - a very common condition. For this study tea-tree oil was made into pessaries for insertion into the vagina once every night. After the first week one patient felt vaginal burning, so discontinued treatment, but none of the others had any similar symptoms. After thirty days the twenty-seven patients were examined, and twenty-three showed a complete cure with no further discharge or burning. The other four showed a moderate improvement. Belaiche observes that tea-tree oil is as effective as several other essential oils, but is notably less irritating: 'We have been happily astonished at the results obtained ... the essential oil of melaleuca has entered the team of the major essential oils and emerges as an antiseptic and anti- fungal weapon of the first order in phytoaromatherapy.'

In Belaiche's second study with tea tree oil, twenty-six female patients, with chronic cystitis were given the oil orally over a period of six months.' (7) This was a double-blind trial, in which half the patients were given a placebo which had the odour of tea-tree. After six months none of the placebo group showed any improvement. Out of the thirteen who took tea-tree oil, seven were cured after six months, which, for such a chronic condition, is a significant result. As many have done before, Belaiche comments in his conclusion on the very low toxicity and irritancy of tea-tree oil.

FROM ATHLETE'S FOOT TO AIDS

Tea-tree oil has also been used successfully in the treatment of many other conditions and is now increasingly employed by herbal practitioners in Australia, as it is by the layperson. Cuts, wounds, ulcers, sores, boils, burns, ringworm, athlete's foot, psoriasis impetigo, nappy rash, anal and genital pruritis, cold sores, lice, urinary and vaginal infections, genital herpes, throat, bronchial and sinus infections, bad breath, mouth ulcers, infected gums and many other conditions have all responded remarkably well to treatment with this astonishing essential oil.

Why is tea-tree oil so effective? its chemical content is not dramatically different from eucalyptus or rosemary, except that it has an unusually high content of terpinen-4-ol, an alcohol, which constitutes some 35% of the best quality oils. It is also worth noting that a thorough analysis of the oil in 1978 (8)revealed the presence of four constituents which have not been found anywhere else in nature: viridiflorene, present at I %, B- terpineol (0.24%) 1-terpineol (trace) and allyl hexanoate (trace).

There is no recorded toxicity data on tea- tree oil, but terpinen-4-ol has a toxicity of 4.3 g/kg, which would indicate a toxicity for the oil of between 3 and 5, a completely safe rating. Christopher Dean reports four cases of children swallowing up to 25 mls of the oil with no significant side effects. in the worst instance mild diarrhea and drowsiness was noticed, but both passed within 24 hours. (9) Because of its lower cineol content, tea tree oil is reckoned to be less toxic and less irritant than eucalyptus oil.

Karen Cutter, a leading Sydney naturopath, has taken 120 drops of tea tree oil orally each day for over three months to satisfy herself that her extreme recommendations for dosage are quite safe. Karen uses tea-tree oil extensively in the treatment of systemic candida, particularly when associated with AIDS. Her patients frequently ingest up to 3 mls (60 drops) daily for periods in excess of six months. Christopher Dean comments that "it has been most instructive to see the enormous degree of success which Karen has achieved with no apparent ill- effects over the past two years." (9)

Research has shown that tea-tree oil is four to five times stronger than the usual household disinfectants, and yet it stings far less when applied to minor abrasions, and of course is completely natural. Tea tree oil has passed the Kelsey-Sykes test, which is the most rigorous antiseptic test in the world today. It has proved effective, both in vitro and in vivo against candida albicans, straphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli, trichophytia and streptococcus, and in vitro against pseudomonas aeruginosa, proteus vulgaris, pneumococcus, gonococcus, meningococcus, diphtheric bacterium, and aspergillus niger.
Because tea-tree oil is relative y inexpensive, completely natural, and the problems it is used for are among the easiest to research, it would appear to have a very bright future. It has been predicted that demand for the oil will multiply some fifty times over the next few year, and it is likely to feature in many natural remedies and patent medicines for home treatment. It is not a cure-all, but is one of the most exciting essential oils to emerge in recent years.

ANTI-TOXICITY

As an interesting conclusion, the following sheds some light on the antitoxic properties of tea-tree oil.

The venom toxicity of the black widow spider may be matched by that of the funnel web spider found only in New South Wales, Australia. This spider first made the news in 1927 when a two-year old boy was bitten by one and died within ninety minutes. Since then five other deaths have been reported. The latest was a seventeen- year-old pregnant woman, who died in Sydney in 1970 after being bitten on the breast.

The following account dates from May 1983, and comes from Harry H. Bungwahl, New South Wales.

"A rather extraordinary episode happened to me recently involving tea tree oil. I was bitten on the foot by a funnel- web spider... it happened at night time about I a.m. He gave me a vicious bite, and it was very painful ... I lay down on the bed and tried to think of some way to soothe the pain of the bite, which was very severe. I then thought of the small bottle of tea-tree oil which was in the bathroom. My wife went and got it and applied some to the bite and there was an immediate easing of the pain. My wife then went to ring up Taree Hospital, and while she was doing that I put some more tea-tree oil onto the bite which, in a short time, stopped being panful! My son drove me to the Taree hospital - the foot was no longer painful but my lips and fingers were still tingling . . . the spider was identified as a male funnel-web spider all right ... I was given no treatment but was kept under observation for a period of four hours, and then discharged."

It is interesting that both tea-tree oil and the funnel web spider are found only in New South Wales.

This review is based on text from Aromatherapy for Everyone by Robert Tisserand, which is being published in the UK by Penguin Books, on April 28th 1988.

References

1. E. Humphrey, 'A New Australian Germicide', Medical Journal of Australia, )an uary 1930, p.417.

2. A . Penfold, 'Some Notes on the Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia', Australian Journal of Pharmacology, March 1937, p.274.

3. M. Walker, 'Clinical Investigation of Australian Melaleuca alternifolia Oil for a Variety of Common Foot Problems', Current Podiatry, April 1972.

4. E. Pena, 'Melaleuca alternifolia Oil: its use for Trichomonal Vaginitis and Other Vaginal Infections', Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 19 (6) 1962. pp. 793-5.

5. P. Belaiche, 'Treatment of Skin infections, with the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia', Phytotherapie, vol. 15, 1985, pp. 15-17.

6. P. Belaiche, 'Treatment of Vaginal Infections of Candida albicans with the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, ibid, pp. 13-15.

7. P. Belaiche, 'Germicidal Properties of the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia Related to Urinary Infections and Chronic Ideopathic Colibaccillus', ibid, pp. 9-11.

8. G. Swords and G. L. K. Hunter, 'Composition of Australian Tea-Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)', Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, vol. 26, 1978, pp. 734-9.

9. C. Dean, Private correspondence with the author, August 1987.

10. C. Dean, A series of private laboratory tests including

Preservative Effectiveness Test (1975) and TGA Test for Hospital Grade Dirty Conditions (1987).

Immune Boost Essential Oil Blend 

(A Thieves-Type Blend)

Immune Boost Essential Oil Blend

This blend (and many similar ones over the centuries) was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. Similar oil blends have been university tested with amazing results for their cleansing, bacteria busting and mold inhibiting abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health.

This blend has been very well liked for it’s delightfully pleasant aroma in soaps, lotions, and 1st aid sticks.

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