During the bubonic plague in Europe, four thieves went around robbing the sick and dying. It was quite amazing that they were able to avoid getting sick. Their secret was the blend of herbs that they concocted and rubbed on their bodies to avoid illness. We know their secret ingredients and now we can use them to protect ourselves!

Thieves Oil is a blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oils. The exact ratio of oils varies from one recipe to the next, I tend to use a 1 to 1 ratio. This oil has many uses and could help you this upcoming flu season. I would recommend mixing a rather large batch into a nice clean jar so that it’s always ready to go when you’re ready to use it and you aren’t left counting drops. There are many ways you can use the blend, be creative! I’m going to give some ideas of how we are going to use it to help us.

Uses of the Blend
1. All purpose cleaner. The only cleaner I use is vinegar and water with Thieves Oil. I put about 1 to 1.5 cups of distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, top up with water and then as much Thieves Oil blend as I feel necessary. I like the scent so I just keep adding until the scent overpowers the vinegar. Usually at least 35-40 drops of each oil.

2. Add to Jojoba (or other carrier oil) and massage a few drops onto your chest a few times a day.

3. Boil a pot of water on the stove, add a few drops and allow it to disperse into the air.

4. Add a few drops to your bath.

Properties of the Oils

Clove – antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac 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 – anti-anemic, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatic, anti-sclerotic, antiseptic, bactericidal, carminative, cicatrisant, depurative, 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 – 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 period pains.

Eucalyptus – nalgesic, anti-bacterial, 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 – analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, 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.