According to legend, the “thieves” type oil blend has been around for centuries and has almost mythical healing properties and anti-bacterial mojo. While a certain company has laid claim to the name Thieves Oil, in reality, all “thieves” type oil blends (including Marseille’s Remedy), are a simple blend of powerful single essential oils with various healing or antibacterial properties that – in combination – provide amazing health benefits.
First, what’s with the name?
In 1413, as the bubonic plague decimated France, a group of merchant sailors was arrested for robbing dead and dying plague victims – a crime punishable by burning alive. The judge offered them leniency for their terrible crimes if they would share the secret which enabled them to expose themselves to the plague without contracting it. The sailors explained that they were spice merchants who were unemployed due to the closure of France’s seaports. They had prepared a special herbal infusion which they applied to their hands, ears, feet, masks, and temples and this protected them from infection. As promised, the judge did not burn the men alive – he hanged them instead.
Soon after, plague doctors began to wear beak-like masks stuffed with absorbent material soaked in the sailors’ blend to protect them from the disease. The sailors’ original blend, containing vinegar and garlic, was known primarily as Vinaigre de Marseille ( see recipe below).
Marseille’s Remedy “Thieves” Type Oil Blend Traditional Recipe
At Marseille’s Remedy, we use the oldest sourced recipe of the “Thieves and Robbers” oil blend we could find. We use a 1-1 blend of all five oils. If you want to make this at home, for the best effect make sure your oils are organic. In a small bowl – or bottle with lid -mix:
- 20 drops Clove Bud oil
- 20 drops Lemon oil
- 20 drops Cinnamon Bark oil
- 20 drops Blue Mallee Eucalyptus oil
- 20 drops Rosemary oil
Stir or shake until blended and VOILA! Your very own thieves oil…now what do you do with it?
How to use “Thieves” Type Oil Blends
Marseille’s Remedy blend of the traditional thieves oil is quite potent. Traditionally the blend was diluted with olive oil, but we like Almond oil, Avocado, canola or other food-grade oil. To start mix 1 drop of thieves with 10 drops of carrier oil and use it
- To fight off illness: diffuse and breathe vapors to help fight sickness and clear air of pathogens.
- To help breakouts and acne: using a cotton swab, dab a very small amount on acne and boils to relieve inflammation and fight infection.
- For tooth pain and infection: using a cotton swab, apply to tooth decay to numb pain and remediate the infection.
- As an all-natural house cleaner: mix with soapy water to clean, sanitize and remediate mold. Check out our recipe here.
- As an anti-bacterial: tried and tested on ships as an effective alternative to fight rot and eliminate mold.
- As an all-natural anti-lice treatment and prevention. We have our favorite recipe and instructions here.
Can you take “thieves” type oil blends internally?
Originally “thieves” type oils were not only used topically but taken orally in a very healing concoction know as Vinaigre De Marseilles. At Marseilles Remedy, we make this, and take it daily for optimal health. One teaspoon a day does wonders. I like using one drop of Vinaigre De Marseilles and fill to one ounce with warm water. Mixing just one drop with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar helps clear congestion, halitosis, sore throat, and digestive discomfort.
Why add raw vinegar?
Infusing Marseille’s Remedy with garlic in raw vinegar is a powerful anti-inflammatory, assists immunity by lowering pathogen loads on the body, and really helps clear airways by alkalizing mucus build up.
Here is our recipe for Vinaigre de Marseilles
Ingredients: (You can play with this, there are no rules really, just do what tastes right to you)
- 25 drops Marseille’s Remedy Essential Oil
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic pressed
- Whatever other herbs are on hand
Steep for a week in the fridge. 1 teaspoon per day is magic!
