title: Possible efficacy of Lavender and Tea tree oils in the treatment of young women affected by mild idiopathic hirsutism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hirsutism is defined as the presence of excessive terminal hair in androgen-dependent areas of a woman's body. Regarding this it has been suggested that Lavender and Tea tree oils may have antiandrogenic activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate therapy based on Lavender and Tea tree oils in women suffering from mild idiopathic hirsutism (IH).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, open-label, placebo- controlled, randomized study was performed: women affected by mild IH were randomly assigned to receive oil spray containing Lavender and Tea tree oils (group T) (no. = 12) or placebo (group P) (no. = 12) twice a day for 3 months in areas affected by hirsutism. Evaluation of hirsutism was carried out at baseline and after 3 months by Ferriman-Gallwey score and by measuring hair diameter taken from some body areas. A hematological and hormonal evaluation was carried out at baseline and after 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant variations were found in any of the hormones studied in groups T and P between baseline and after 3 months. A statistically significant decrease of hirsutism total score and of hair diameter was found in group T, while no statistically significant difference in these two parameters was observed in group P; in group T percentual reduction of hair diameter was significantly greater than in group P.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lavender and Tea tree oils applied locally on skin could be effective in reducing mild IH; this treatment could represent a safe, economic and practical instrument in the cure of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tirabassi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovannini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paggi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Panin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Panin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boscaro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balercia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D020947:Tea Tree Oil