What is Thieves oil?
It is a blend of more oils and its name hides a very interesting story.
This oil was widely used during the Middle Age when the Black Plague disease spread over. Merchants used thieves oil as a cure against this disease because of its strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties.
At the beginning of the 1990s, Gary Young analyzed what powers do essential oils have and revealed that the “Story of Thieves” has 17 versions that use different oils in different quantities.
Trying to find out the combination that is perfect for everyday use, he discovered that this mixture was named after the historical story of the “Thieves”.
The Story of Thieves
They were a group of traders and merchants that were bringing cinnamon and cloves from India to Europe in the 15th century. But, the bubonic plague closed international trade and shipping, so they were left without any financial support. While searching for a way to survive, they decided to plunder the bodies that were ridden by the plague to earn some money from the sales of their clothes, shoes, and jewelry. They were trading these things for food and money.
Being aware of the healing properties of spices, these merchants and traders saved themselves from the disease by mixing oils, spices, and vinegar.
When the King heard about their practice, he caught them to find out how they maintained healthy. They had the choice of whether they want to share their secret or be burned at the stake. They decided to tell the King the combination they’ve used, so their recipe spread around the world very quickly.
According to the legend, the combination included eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and lemon. The four robbers used this combination that saved their lives while entering the houses of the infected people. They revealed to the King that they drank herbal vinegar and sprinkled it on themselves every two hours and that was their protection.
Thomas Jefferson used another combination that kept the Presidential body free from infection. The vinegar that they used was combined with rosemary, wormwood, lavender, sage, mint, rue, and garlic.
Health benefits of Thieves oil
Thieves oil has a pleasant aroma. It eases digestion, boosts immunity, cleanses the air, and also can help in cleaning the house. These medicinal properties come from the essential oils that it contains. As Dr. LoBisco explains, true essential oils don’t contain chemical solvents but are extracted from aromatic plant material by mechanical expression or steam distillation.
The powerful compounds that they contain are produced by plants and give essential oils their ability to support hormones, inhibit microbe growth, reduce inflammation and act as antioxidants.
They can be absorbed easily through inhalation, skin application, or ingestion, and can be quickly excreted through the kidneys.
How to use it for different purposes
To cure the sinuses and the whole respiratory system – diffuse 15 to 20 drops of the thieves oil for 15 minutes in a diffuser for essential oil. Repeat this couple of times per day. It will also purify the air, eliminating toxins and odors.
Add thieves oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Put one drop for ½ ounce of water. This mixture can clean and disinfect your home.
For soothing skin irritations, mix one drop of thieves oil with 4 drops of jojoba, coconut, or avocado oil. Apply it to your irritations. You can also use it for massaging the neck, lower back, feet, and behind your ears. It is great for boosting your immune system.
This mixture is perfect for cleaning dishes, floors, cars, beds of the pets, office air vents, cell phones.
For lessening the pain in your body, mix 15 drops of Thieves oil with 15 drops of carrier oil. Massage the place of your body that hurts with this mixture.
If you want to clean your digestive tract and strengthen your immune system, mix a drop of it with a cup of warm water. Drink this mixture as tea.
If your throat is sore, mix 2 tablespoons of water with 2 or 3 drops of this oil.
Mix 2-4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 drop of Thieves oil and shake it well. Use it for mouthwash or as a toothpaste.
Here are some recipes on how to prepare your own Thieves oil at home:
Recipe 1
- 2 and a half teaspoons of Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
- 2 teaspoons of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 2 teaspoons of Rosemary Essential Oil
- 1 tablespoon of Clove Essential Oil
- 1 tablespoon of Lemon Essential Oil
Recipe 2
- Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil (20 drops)
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil (15 drops)
- Rosemary Essential Oil (10 drops)
- Clove Essential Oil (45 drops)
- Lemon Essential Oil (35 drops)
Recipe 3
- 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
- 3/4 teaspoons of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of Rosemary Essential Oil
- 2 tablespoons of Clove Essential Oil
- 1 and a half teaspoons of Lemon Essential Oil
Recipe 4
- Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil (100 drops)
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil (75 drops)
- Rosemary Essential Oil (50 drops)
- Clove Essential Oil (200 drops)
- Lemon Essential Oil (175 drops)
When you prepare the oil blends, store them in a dark bottle, in a dark and cool place.