I don't know about the validity if the science, but what they're claiming is that it only affects pre-pubescent & pubescent boys.

So, no help for most trans people.

I doubt the effect is anywhere near large enough to be satisfactory for people who want to transition.

Trans woman here. Was going to say this, but you nailed it.

Just going to confirm right now any effect this has is nowhere close to the kind of estrogen changes that actual hormone therapy provides.

Perhaps not but already I'm wondering if it could enhance the effect of conventional HRT for transgender patients. Certainly something worth further investigation.

Just because substance Y does X doesn't mean it should be used to achieve X in a medical situation. There is usually a substance Z which achieves it more effectively (unless Y was designed to be more effective than Z)

They also say that gynecomastia is rare, which is not true.

Perhaps it originally was statement by the scientists that it is rare among young boys, and the interviewer dropped that condition? Not that I know whether or not it is rare among young boys either.

The post did mention:

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

>Not everyone will have the same reaction...

Is there even a single substance on earth this doesn't apply to?

Yes, think substances used for positive controls, e.g. histamine for skin-prick tests (allergen response).

>...substances used for positive controls, e.g. histamine for skin-prick tests...

Are you 100% certain that every single person, regardless of age, health, or any other criteria will always have the exact same response to these, under every conceivable circumstance and environment?

To have no reaction on a histamine test you would have to be on antihistamines OR have a malfunctioning innate immune system _and_ malfunctioning vasculature and/or severe malnutrition to the point where you're at deaths door (possibly not even then, those extreme cases aren't usually considered when administering allergen tests). Assuming the dose is controlled the result is a small, well pronounced welt ~0.8mm diameter. It's very consistent, you know that it will occur (because it's the direct primary mediator), that why you use it as a positive control (also you control for it, thats the point of a positive control).

In answer to you question, barring the use of antihistamines, pretty much.

There might be something to this.

Coworker P and coworker S shared an office. Coworker P got a device that filled the office with a haze of vaporized essential oils. It was sort of a large-scale vaping device, a bit like a humidifier or fog machine.

Coworker S was a married father of two who seemed rather ordinary. After a bunch of time sharing that office, Coworker S decided to transition.

So, it's just an anecdote, but I don't think I'll be taking my chances with essential oils.

> father of two who seemed rather ordinary

Besides the fact that this language makes trans people not "ordinary", lots of people transition later in life. There are more role models and resources now than ever before, and lots of people take time to feel secure in their identity. My point is there's nothing unusual about transitioning once you have kids, even though it can be harder.

Also, elevated estrogen wouldn't make you transition. If you think you're a man and you start growing breasts you aren't going to say "whoops, I'm a woman now I guess". Transitioning is a hell of a lot more work than just deciding one day, and typically people pre-tra sition have typical hormones for their assigned gender.