研究：精油可能导致男性乳房发育症（内附精油使用指南）

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 interfere with hormones.

一项研究发现，精油中含有8种化学物质会干扰荷尔蒙，因此怀疑青年男孩乳房发育异常与使用薰衣草和茶树油的有关。

Gynaecomastia is rare, and there is often no obvious cause.

男性乳房发育症很少见，常常没有明显的原因。

But there have been a number of cases linked to use of these essential oils.

但是有很多案例与使用这些精油有关。

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

该美国的研究发现，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, lotions, 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，洗剂，洗发水和头发造型产品。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（NIEHS）的首席研究员J.泰勒-拉姆齐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，但他们拥有不同数量的化学品，应谨慎使用，因为这些化学品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.

被报道的越来越多的男性乳房发育症病例与局部暴露于精油有关。

After they stopped using the products, the symptoms subsided.

他们停止使用这些产品后，症状消退了。

The new study looked at eight key chemicals from the hundreds that make up the oils. Four of the tested chemicals appear in both oils and the others were in either oil.

这项新研究着眼于数百种组成这些精油的八种关键化学品。四种测试化学品出现在两种油中，其余的出现在任意一种油中。

They were tested on human cancer cells in the laboratory to measure the changes.

这些化学品被用与实验室的人类癌细胞测试，以测量其变化。

The researchers found all eight demonstrated varying degrees of promoting oestrogen and/or inhibiting testosterone properties.

研究人员发现，所有8个化学品都表现出不同程度的促进雌激素和/或抑制睾酮的性质。

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

“薰衣草油和茶树油对环境健康有潜在的影响，应该进一步调查，”拉姆齐先生说。

Many of the chemicals tested appear in at least 65 other essential oils, which is of concern, he added.

他补充说，许多测试的化学品至少出现在其他65种精油中，这是令人担忧的。

Essential oil guidelines

附精油使用指南

Precautions should be observed when using essential oils since they are highly concentrated

使用精油时应注意预防措施，因为它们高度浓缩

Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin

不要将未稀释的精油直接涂抹在皮肤上

Never use undiluted oils on children under the age of three

切勿在三岁以下的儿童身上使用未稀释的油

If you are pregnant you must seek the advice of your doctor, midwife or aromatherapist before using any essential oils

如果你怀孕了，必须在使用任何精油之前寻求医生，助产士或芳香疗法师的建议

When used appropriately, essential oils and aromatherapy products are safe for all the entire family

如果使用得当，精油和香薰产品对整个家庭都是安全的