Thieves Oil: Why Use It and How to Make It

Thieves oil is a blend of essential oils that are accredited with all sorts of health benefits. It’s believed to ease sinus congestion. The ingredients that go into all have powers that help to prevent bacterial and viral infections. It is used to reduce inflammation, help with skin ailments, and respiratory problems.

Historically, thieves’ oil dates back to the 1400s, during the Bubonic Plague (The Black Death). Four thieves were arrested for stealing from the sick, dying, and dead, and they were exceptional because they never became ill themselves. Instead of punishing the thieves, their crimes at the time punishable by burning at the stake, the judge decided to spare them this punishment if they shared their secret.

The thieves had been perfume and spice merchants who’d lost their livelihood due to the ports being closed because of the Black Death. They shared their essential oil recipe, which they applied to their hands, ears, mouth, feet, and so on. The thieves were hung instead of being burned, but their valuable herb infusion lived on.

Source: dpjon1/Youtube

What’s in thieves’ oil?

Thieves oil contains only five, and five rather common, essential oils: clove, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. In addition to serious health benefits, the mixture has a pleasant earthy aroma with a nice touch of spice from the clove and cinnamon.

• Clove oil is a strong antibacterial agent capable of killing powerful bacteria that commonly cause health issues. It’s used for slowing cancer and reversing liver damage.
• Rosemary has compounds that are extraordinarily useful in preventing brain troubles, particularly memory loss. It’s antibacterial and anticancer.
• Lemon oil helps with digestion, kidney problems, liver issues, and disinfecting surfaces. It’s one of the go-to essential oils for making homemade cleaning products.
• Eucalyptus is renowned for its help with respiratory issues, including conditions like asthma. It also has notable resistance to viruses and bacteria.
• Cinnamon bark oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antidiabetic qualities that can help fight cancer and neurological diseases.

Source: Jennifer Ebinger/Youtube

Why use thieves’ oil?

At this point, we’ve explored tons of reasons to use thieves’ oil, and even though the efficacy may not be supported by conventional medical research, the ingredients do have verifiable powers. Plus, the traditional uses for thieves’ oil do have centuries of affirmation. So, to reiterate, there are several reasons to use thieves’ oil.

• It can purify the air while also giving it a pleasant smell. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties with help clean the air for safe, sound sniffing.
• Thieves oil helps with respiratory struggles, clearing mucus and easing sore throats. Inhaling a bit of steam with thieves oil in it will work wonders.
• For household cleaning, thieves oil can help to disinfect surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as remove musty smells and freshen fabrics.
• There are a lot of skin-friendly compounds in thieves oil, as well, so it can be helpful to add to skincare practices.
• It is credited for helping with fevers, inflammation, and the immune system.

Source: Little Urban Apothecary/Youtube

How to make thieves’ oil

It is entirely possible to buy thieves oil already compiled into its own mixture; however, for those with an existing collection of essential oils, it might make sense to start with a homemade thieves’ oil blend. It’s a simple recipe:

• Get a tinted glass container. An empty/used essential oil bottle will work just fine or a nice spray bottle might be even better.
• Put equal parts (ratios vary based on whose recipe is used) of the five ingredients—clove, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cinnamon bark oil—into the container.
• Seal the bottle shut with a lid, and shake it vigorously to mix the oils.
• It can be stored in a cool, dark space until you are ready to use it.

Preparing thieves oil

Once the essential oil blend is ready, thieves’ oil is easy to use. It can be combined with water to work as a hand/skin sanitizer. It can be boiled to infuse the air with steam and help with respiratory issues and reduce airborne pathogens. It can be mixed with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or even olive oil, to be applied topical for skin ailments and to work as a bug repellent. Thieves oil, in other words, is pretty handy to have around.

Related Content:

• Essential Oils That Help With IBS
• DIY Natural Insect Repellents for the Summer
• From Hair Dye to Essential Oils, Why We Need to Be Careful About the Products We Use on Our Pets
• The 5 Best Essential Oils for Glowing Skin
• 7 Must-Have Essential Oils For Any DIY Household or Personal Care Product

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on the App Store. With over 15,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest meatless, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy!

Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!