THE ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND - Four Thieves

What is Four Thieves Essential OIl Blend?

You might of seen Four Thieves Soap or heard of the term Four Thieves Oil and wondered what it is all about? Basically it is an essential oil blend of Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Clove, Lemon and Cinnamon and goes by the name Four Thieves. The reason for the blend's name hinges on myth / folklore that a number of medieval grave robbers made this concoction and used it to protect themselves from the plague while plundering bodies and graves sites.

Back in those times herbs were mainly steeped in vinegar (distillation came later) but many people were using some kind of aromatics to protect themselves from the plague in the middle ages and early modern periods. Plant materials such as wormwood and marjoram would have been more available and one of the oldest noted Marseilles vinegar from 1825 included camphor and garlic. 

The availability of spices like cinnamon and cloves would not of been available for the peasants of that era, so there is a lot of conjecture as to the blends history. Clove is native to Indonesia and only royalty would have access to them before the late 16th-century. Cinnamon as a word wouldn’t even enter the English language until the 14th century and came from the India / Sri Lanka regions. Access to lemons outside of the Mediterranean was rare and would have been insanely expensive before the 17th-century. Eucalyptus is from Australia, which was a continent that Europeans did not know existed until 1606 and eucalyptus was introduced to Europe in the 18th-century so yes - you would have to question the ‘ancient’ origins of this blend. If interested in the storytelling refer the-sketchy-history-of-four-thieves-oil 

In Four Thieves argument - this rich, spicy and earthy essential oil we know of today is well liked and has been incorporated in a lot of herbals, natural soaps and cleaners. We make a soap - and is a favourite especially over the winter months. 

To make Four Thieves essential oil blend - we use the following essential oils in these proportions: 40 drops Clove bud, 35 drops Lemon, 20 drops Cinnamon Bark, 15 drops Eucalyptus, 10 drops Rosemary

There are approximately 20 drops in 1ml. Not all essential oil drops are equal as there are differences in viscosity which will impact the volume of that oil that holds together in a drop. Basically 120 drops as above will make approximately 6 mls.

This blend is an absolute powerhouse - it protects and support the body’s natural defences - it is a powerful immune booster, with antibacterial properties to purify the air, and provide effective protection against airborne pathogens. The following methods of application gives you some ideas for its use - just remember use with caution, patch test if using topically as some people are more sensitive than others and if in doubt regarding any health condition, consult your healing practitioner.

Essential Oil Applications:

• Steam Inhalation - asthma or respiratory problems, use 2-3 drops in a steam inhalation 
• Diffuser - 3-5 drops to freshen air, neutralise bad odours, respiratory, mental exhaustion and fatigue or add a few drops to the inside of your toilet roll
• Room Spray - into a spray bottle add 10 drops to 900mls of water,  for airborne bacteria in a sick room. Shake well before spraying
• Massage Oil -  add 2-3 drop to 30mls of carrier oil and massage into affected areas for arthritis, muscle spasms, or rub onto chest for chills, colds or flu
• Cleaning - add 2 to 3 drops to rinse water to wipe away greasy residue and for extra freshness.
• Toiletries - add add 2-3 drops to unscented shampoo or conditioners

Additional Essential Oil reading  If you are like me and want to incorporate essential oils into your household cleaning and health routines, these two books are at the top of my list.

• Aromatherapy for Everyone by Mary Shipley
• The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood

Purchase our Four Thieves Soap here