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Essential oils are all the rage but should we be afraid to use them? No, but we should be cautious as ER physician Dr. Travis Stork explains that theoretically, these oils could affect breast growth in men. This is because certain oils like lavender and tea tree can act as endocrine disruptors meaning they may mess with hormones.
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Dr. Travis shares a new study which looks at the chemicals in oils responsible for hormonal shifts. If you were to use them over and over again, dosing your body in them, Dr. Travis thinks you’d have to be a little bit cautious. OB/GYN Dr. Nita Landry adds that the companies making these products need to take accountability because so many products, like shampoos and lotions, have these chemicals which users wouldn’t expect.
The good news, according to Dr. Travis, is in the studies with animals that did show breast tissue growth after exposure to the chemicals, once the chemicals were removed, the breast tissue did return to normal.
Watch: Buzz or Bust: Tea Tree Oil
Dr. Travis says just because something is touted as being good for you, doesn’t mean you should go crazy with overusing it. Don’t bathe yourself in essential oils multiple times a day! What is appropriate? “You’ve just got to use common sense!” says Dr. Travis. Dr. Ordon adds “And talk to your doctor about it.”
