Have you heard about the Thieves oil? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. The Thieves oil is actually a blend of oils with antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties that have kept a group of merchants safe from the Black Plague in the Middle Ages.
The Thieves Oil story
While studying essential oils in the 90s, Gary Young stumbled upon the Thieves oil. Intrigued by the oil, he immediately proceeded to research how it was made. The “Thieves” were actually a group of merchants and spice traders in the Middle Ages which traded cinnamon, cloves and other spices throughout Europe and India. When the bubonic plague struck in the 15th century, these traders needed to protect themselves from it, and they invented the oil blend known as Thieves oil.
Dark times
With so many dead around, the Thieves looted the corpses for valuables in order to trade them for money. They were aware of the medicinal properties of many spices and oils, and believed that a blend of selected oils would protect them against the plague. They managed to get pretty rich soon, and eventually, news of their exploits got to the King. He wanted to learn how did they protect themselves, so the Thieves were caught and brought before the King. They would either tell him their secret or die a horrible death. Of course, the Thieves shared the blend with the King and he shared it with the whole kingdom. Although the original recipe was lost over time, there are a few versions of the oil which work great.
Here are a few recipes for the mythical Thieves oil that have survived time:
Oil #1
Ingredients
- 10 drops rosemary oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus oil
- 20 drops cinnamon oil
- 35 drops lemon oil
- 40 drops clove oil
Oil #2
Ingredients
- 50 drops rosemary oil
- 75 drops Eucalyptus oil
- 100 drops cinnamon bark oil
- 175 drops lemon oil
- 200 drops clove oil
Oil #3
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons of lemon and clove oil each
- 2 teaspoons of rosemary and eucalyptus oil each
- 2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon bark oil
Oil #4
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon bark oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons clove oil
- ¾ eucalyptus oil
- ½ rosemary oil
The oil should be kept in a dark bottle and away from sunlight. The Thieves oil has a nice cinnamon aroma and can be used topically or diffused. You can also consume the blend to boost your digestive system or use it for cleaning.
Diffusing the Thieves oil
Diffusing the oil blend will clean the air in your home of toxins, get rid of odors and most importantly, improve the health of your respiratory system. Just add 15-20 drops of the oil in a diffuser and turn it on to keep your lungs and sinuses working properly.
All-purpose spray
Pour the oil in a spray bottle along with some water and spray it on any surface to disinfect it and destroy bacteria. You can eliminate the odor on your dog’s bed and keep your baby’s room clean, but make sure not to spray the oils near cats, as their system can’t process it. For the perfect blend, you need to add a drop of the Thieves oil per ½ an ounce of water. Shake the bottle well before use, and if the scent’s too strong, use a drop per ounce of water.
Topical application
For topical use, you need to mix the Thieves oil with a carrier oil such as avocado, jojoba or coconut oil. Use a drop of the Thieves oil for every 4 drops of the carrier oil, then massage it on any part of your body. Rubbing the mixture on your feet every day will promote a healthy immune system.
Household uses
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, the Thieves oil is a perfect natural cleaner. You can add it to dishwasher loads, laundry and floor and countertop cleaners to remove any burnt stains, greasy buildup or just simply give the surface a nice deep clean. Spray the mixture on your kid’s bed and toys to disinfect them, or just spray it on your cell phone or plants to keep them clean and smelling fresh. To eliminate odors, soak a cotton ball in the blend and put it in the affected area.
Massage therapy
Mix 15 drops of the Thieves oil with 15 drops of a carrier oil and use the mixture to massage your chest and back to improve the function of your cardiovascular system and lungs. When massaged on the thighs, neck and back, the mixture can relieve various aches and pains, and applying it on your skin can relieve insect bites and stings.
Consumption
The Thieves oil can be safely consumed in order to boost your digestion and metabolism and destroy bacteria in your body. Add a drop of the oil in a liter of water and drink the mixture during the day – besides boosting your digestion and metabolism, the mixture will also reinforce your immune system as well. You can also add a drop of the blend in a cup of warm water and drink it like tea 15 minutes before your meals. Gargling a mixture of the Thieves oil and water can relieve numerous oral problems such as bad breath and keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Other uses of Thieves oil
Rub a few drops of the oil on the temples to relieve headaches, or inhale the vapors of the Thieves oil to boost the function of your lungs and sinuses as well. Using the blend on your skin will prevent numerous skin problems such as acne and keep it clean and soft.
Source:healthy-holistic-living.com
