Updated August, 2018
Thieves® Oil was developed from historical information about four brothers in 15th century France who would rob graves and deceased victims of the Black Plague in their contaminated homes.
The modern-day version of this oil is simply a blend of several essential oils that are known for their infection-fighting properties.
Anyone can make it if you know the ratios for mixing.
The Story:
According to the records (and so the story goes), the “thieves” were brothers and sons of a perfumer and herbalist. Sometime during the 15th century, as the bubonic plague was running rampant through Europe, the 4 brothers became notorious for robbing the infectious dead bodies of all their possessions and miraculously never contracted the highly infectious plague.
The brothers protected themselves from ‘the plague’ with what they had come to respect as protective and healing medicinal agents. Thieves® Oil’s natural ingredients historically including cloves and rosemary. Later, the robbers were captured and given a lighter sentence in exchange for their recipe.
You’ve probably come across others talking about a particular oil blend that has a name that is a synonymous with “robber.”
The Properties of Thieves® Oil:
Clove‘s benefits: anti-microbial, anti-aging, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and stimulant. Uses include: acne, bronchitis, bruises, burns and cuts, infections, mouth sores, pain reliever, rheumatism and arthritis, toothaches, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, spasms and parasites, asthma, tuberculosis and infectious diseases.
Lemon‘s benefits: anti-anemic, anti-microbial, anti-rheumatic, anti-sclerotic, antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive, insecticidal, rubefacient, tonic and vermifuge.Uses include: improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure and helping nosebleeds, reducing fever, helping relieve throat infections, bronchitis, asthma and flu, cleansing the body, improving digestive system, constipation, dyspepsia and cellulite, headaches and migraines, rheumatism and arthritis, help in clearing acne, cleaning greasy skin and hair, removing dead skin cells, cold sores, mouth ulcers, herpes and insect bites.
Cinnamon‘s benefits: analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiac, carminative, emmenagogue, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge. Uses include: clearing infection of the respiratory tract, rheumatism, arthritis, general pains, calming depression, easing menstrual pains.
Eucalyptus‘ benefits: analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, balsamic, cicatrisant, decongestant, deodorant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, rubefacient, stimulant, vermifuge and vulnerary. Uses include: cooling and deodorizing the body, fevers, migraine and malaria, coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis, catarrhal conditions, soothing inflammation and easing mucus, clearing the head during colds and hay fever, muscular aches and pains, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and poor circulation, boosting the immune system, comforting chicken pox, colds, flu and measles, burns, blisters, herpes, cuts, wounds, skin infections and insect bites.
Rosemary‘s benefits: analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, digestive, diuretic, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic. Uses include: clearing the mind and mental awareness, stimulating the brain, improving memory, fighting headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion, improving intestinal infections and diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders and jaundice, relieving pain associated with rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain and gout, helping arteriosclerosis, palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins, reducing water retention during menstruation, obesity, cellulite, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinus and whooping cough, effective for countering sagging skin, scalp disorders and encouraging hair growth, easing congestion, puffiness and swelling, acne, dermatitis and eczema, affects the health of the hair and scalp.
Thieves® Oil Ingredients:
- 40 drops organic Clove Bud essential oil
- 35 drops organic Lemon essential oil
- 20 drops organic Cinnamon Bark essential oil
- 15 drops organic Eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops organic Rosemary essential oil
Mix all essential oils together in a dark glass bottle.
There are many ways that you can use the Thieves® Oil blend, here are some of the most common applications:
To purify and clean the air in your home or workplace during or after sickness
Add 4-5 drops of the essential oil blend into a pan of water on the ‘low heat’ stove setting and repeat as needed. For a diffuser or nebulizer add your desired amount according to the directions. Diffuse for approximately 20-30 minutes. It also is a delightful way to freshen and brighten a home that smells stale, getting to the root of the problem with regular use.
~There is much evidence that this blend is powerfully successful against mold when administered properly depending on each separate case. Do your research. The results of over 100 case studies, verified by an independent EPA-approved environmental laboratory, have shown that organically produced concentrated plant extracts, also called essential oils [in the Thieves essential oil blend], when diffused in the air eliminate mold spores in the air and on surfaces in as little as 24 hours.
Make an antiviral, antibacterial all-purpose spray for disinfecting your home or office.
I fill my 32oz. spray bottle with water and add 20-25 drops of the blend. You can add more or less depending on whether someone is sick or not. Spray on your already damp cloth to use on counter tops, desks, and on other hard surfaces. I also use it on leather couches and wood surfaces that have a protective finish. Shake before using since oil and water will naturally separate.
Make a spray for insect bites, poison oak or ivy rashes to help reduce inflammation, itching, and irritation.
I do this by using 3 drops of the Thieves® Oil blend in 8 oz. spray bottle. Shake WELL before applying. Our children will also tell you that it reduces hives from hay (baling hay) irritation as well as cuts and abrasions.
It is easy to make a personal inhaler.
When there is head, sinus, or chest congestion, target it by placing 1-2 drops in a bowl of hot, steaming water and breathe deeply of the vapors under a towel.
DO NOT get Thieves® Oil blend into eyes. It will sting! And this is NOT for use on skin of babies, toddlers, or young children.
The Cost to Make Thieves® Oil?
Remember, there are 300 drops in 1/2 oz. You can make a lot of batches with this small stash:
1/2 oz. Clove Bud essential oil is $7.50. (using Plant Therapy prices)
1/2 oz. Lemon essential oil is $6.25.
1/2 oz. Cinnamon Bark essential oil is $13.95.
1/2 oz. Eucalyptus essential oil is $7.95.
1/2 oz. Rosemary essential oil is $8.49.
Total for 5 (1/2 oz.) essential oils to make many bottles of my version = $44.14.
Purchased from YL, the customer price for one bottle (1/2 oz.) of Thieves® Oil is $44.41.
Do The Math!
There are affiliate links in this post. All the links on this website are for products that I feel are wholesome and helpful. I would share these links for purposes of encouraging families even if not an affiliate. It would be a blessing if you used the links in support of the time it takes to write this free resource. Thank you!
Thieves®Oil is a registered trademark of Young Living Essential Oils, LC. The essential oils I use are not affiliated with Young Living Essential Oils, LC in any way.
I have used essential oils for years and am familiar with many of the companies out there.
Note: I would recommend Plant Therapy, Mountain Rose Herbs, and Young Living.
Warning about making and using this potent blend safely:
“This essential oil blend is very strong and must be diluted! The essential oil content should only account for 1 to 2% of the total formula. This means that up to 6-12 drops of essential oil can be added per 1 oz of carrier oil or other menstruum.
“Essential oils are highly concentrated, strong, and powerful liquids that can be harmful if not used carefully and properly. This is an especially potent blend of essential oils which could cause irritation when applied to the skin, even in diluted amounts. I advocate caution when using them and do not recommend using essential oils internally. Please keep essential oils out of reach of children. I do not advocate usage of Thieves® Oil on babies, toddlers, or children
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