Surely there aren’t very many essential oil blends that have more impressive bragging rights than Thieves Oil. After all, how many oils claim to have been concocted during the years of the Black Plague, protecting their users from the deadly pandemic that killed at least 75 million people?
The legend behind Thieves Oil is that a group of actual thieves covered themselves with a mixture of cinnamon, clove, and rosemary oils, which protected them as they stole valuables from the dead bodies of plague victims. Fast forward several hundred years, and Thieves Oil is now a proprietary blend from Young Living that has been shown in laboratory tests to effectively kill bacteria.
I’ve used Thieves oil blend from Young Living but have also been very happy with oils from Edens Garden.
Here are just few of the ways Thieves Oil can be used:
1. Rub diluted* on the bottoms of feet for extra protection, especially during winter. Why the soles of the feet?
- The skin on the soles is the least sensitive location on the body, which means that most people will be able to apply oils there without any adverse reactions.
- Some of the largest pores on the body are found on the soles of feet. Applying essential oils here means they will be absorbed more quickly.
2. Put 2–3 drops on a dryer sheet to freshen laundry.
3. If your family tends to share sicknesses, diffuse Thieves oil each day and apply it, diluted, to the soles of everyone’s feet before they go to bed at night.
4. Drop on stubborn adhesives, such as glue and chewing gum, to remove from surfaces.
5. Drop 4–5 drops on a tissue and attach to an air vent to freshen a hotel room. If you travel a lot, consider packing a small diffuser. I did this when we were staying in a hotel when we first arrived in Texas on our cross-country move.
6. Diffuse for 24–48 hours straight to eliminate household mold.
7. Thieves oil can also be ingested directly by adding a drop or two to a glass of water or almond milk, or sprinkling on a slice of bread or serving of rice.
8. Add a few drops of Thieves oil to your homemade household cleaners for an extra boost against bacteria and mold.
9. After someone has been sick, spray their bedding, pillows, and sickroom with either Thieves Spray or make your own spray by adding a few drops of the oil to a cup of distilled water.
10. Mix a drop with a tablespoon of water, gargle, and swallow for a sore throat.
11. Apply to bee and wasp stings to neutralize the toxin and relieve pain.
12. Make a hot toddy with warm water, honey to taste, and a drop or two of Thieves oil for anyone in the family who is ill or is starting to come down with something.
13. Mix a few drops with a quarter cup of baking soda to use as a bathtub scrub.
There are many, many other uses for Thieves oil, and if you’re just starting to explore the world of essential oils, this oil is a good one for any starter kit because of its versatility and antibacterial properties.
* Thieves Oil blend is a strong blend and should be diluted with a carrier oil if applying anywhere on the body other than the soles of the feet. Add 2-3 drops of the oil to a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. Use refined coconut oil if you want to avoid the coconut scent.
I am not affiliated with any essential oil company.