A suspected link between abnormal breast growth in young boys and the use of lavender and tea tree oils has been given new weight, after a study found eight chemicals contained in the oils interfere¹ with hormones².

一项研究发现，精油中含有8种会干扰荷尔蒙的化学物质，这让年轻男孩乳房发育异常与使用薰衣草精油和茶树精油有关的疑虑有所加重。

Gynaecomastia is rare, and there is often no obvious cause. But there have been a number of cases linked to use of these essential oils.

男性乳房发育症很少见，常常没有明显的原因。但是现在有很多案例都发现与使用这些精油有关。

The American study found that key chemicals in the oils boost oestrogen and inhibit³ testosterone.

这项美国的研究发现，这些精油中的关键化学物质能促进雌激素和抑制睾酮。

Not everyone will have the same reaction to an essential oil.

不是每个人都会对精油有同样的反应。

The plant-derived oils are found in a number of products such as soaps, lotions⁴, shampoos and hair-styling products. They're also popular as alternative cleaning products and medical treatments.

植物衍生的精油存在于许多产品中，如肥皂、洗液、洗发水和美发产品。它们也经常被用来替代清洁产品和医疗护理。

Lead researcher J. Tyler Ramsey from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), in North Carolina, suggested caution when using the oils.

来自北卡罗莱纳州国立环境健康科学研究所的首席研究员J·泰勒·拉姆塞建议使用这些精油时要小心谨慎。

"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."

“我们的社会认为精油是安全的，这些精油中的确含有多种化学物质，应谨慎使用，因为这些化学物质中有一些是潜在的内分泌干扰物。”

A growing number of reported cases of male gynaecomastia have coincided with topical exposure to the oils. After they stopped using the products, the symptoms subsided⁵.

有越来越多的男性乳房发育症病例被报道有精油的身体局部接触史。在他们停止使用这些产品后，相关症状就消退了。

"Lavender oil and tea tree oil pose potential environmental health concerns and should be investigated further," said Mr Ramsey.

拉姆塞表示：“薰衣草精油和茶树精油对环境健康有潜在的影响，应该进一步展开调查。”