Like any plant product, essential oils can cause allergies. Pregnant women and people who have hormone-related medical conditions such as diabetes should talk to their doctors before using essential oils topically or with a diffuser. Block advises against diffusing lavender and tea tree oils because of the potential complications, particularly in children and teens. Lavender and tea tree oil are also thought to lead to a condition called prepubertal gynecomastia (abnormal breast tissue growth) in boys.ĭr. Research has shown lavender oil to be associated with early breast development in girls, for example. Block says, but a handful of essential oils have been linked to hormone-related health complications. There's not enough evidence about all essential oils as endocrine disruptors to make any blanket statements, Dr. Block says, 'causing disruption of development, reproductive changes or even interference with the immune system.' 'These chemicals can either lower or raise the normal hormone levels in the body,' Dr. Romy Block, board-certified endocrinologist and co-founder of Vous Vitamin, says essential oils can act as endocrine disruptors, which means they interfere with the natural production of your hormones. When these glands produce too much or too little of any hormone, it can result in symptoms including weight gain, mood swings, low libido, disturbed sleep, hot flashes and fatigue.ĭr. Your endocrine system includes glands that produce hormones to regulate your metabolism, sleep, mood, appetite, sexual function, growth and much more. The safety of any essential oil depends largely on the person using it, but like any plant product, these oils can contribute to skin irritation, respiratory symptoms and even hormone-related symptoms. Yes, they're natural and plant-derived, but it's worth taking a closer look before popping just any oil into your diffuser. This concept applies to essential oils, too.

Essential oils for medical use