Ah, what can be more relaxing after a tough day than being in a bath filled with bubbles and a generous splash of fragrant essential oils? A glass of wine, of course. But despite all the evidence telling us to reconsider imbibing, it appears that men could benefit from keeping the pinot noir but ditching the oils.
Yes, a suspected link between abnormal breast growth in young men and the use of lavender and tea tree oils has been given new weight, after a recent study found that eight chemicals contained within the oils interfere with hormones.
American research has found that key chemicals in the oils boost oestrogen and inhibit testosterone - which is bad news for those who doesn't want "moobs" á la Bob from Fight Club.
While gynaecomastia - the enlargement of a man's breasts, is rare and is often due to unknown causes - men who enjoy using essential oils may want to consider curtailing their use, as a link has been found between the condition and the oils.
The plant-derived lubricants can be found in a number of household products such as soaps, lotions, shampoos and hair-styling products. They're also a popular substitute to everyday cleaning products and medical treatments.
Lead researcher, J. Tyler Ramsey from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), in North Carolina, has suggested caution when using the oils.
"Our society deems essential oils as safe. However, they possess a diverse amount of chemicals and should be used with caution because some of these chemicals are potential endocrine disruptors," he said, before stating that a growing number of reported cases of male gynaecomastia have come after topical exposure to the essential oils.
After the patients stopped using the products in question, their symptoms subsided, Ramsey added.
The study looked at eight key chemicals included in lavender and tea tree oils. Four of the tested chemicals appear in both oils. They were then tested on human cancer cells to measure any induced changes.
The scientists found that all eight chemicals promoted oestrogen and/or inhibited testosterone, to differing degrees.
"Lavender oil and tea tree oil pose potential environmental health concerns and should be investigated further," asserted Ramsey. He added that the tested chemicals appear in at least 65 other essential oils, which is "of concern," according to Mr. Ramsey.
A previous study, which was conducted by Dr Kenneth Korach - who was also a co-investigator for Ramsey's research - discovered that lavender and tea tree oils, in particular, had properties which hindered or competed with hormones that control male characteristics. This, naturally, could affect the onset of puberty and growth in young men.
While these results are certainly worrying, it's always worthwhile to check with your healthcare provider whenever you start using new products.
In other news, scientists have confirmed that being in a relationship makes you gain weight.
