What Is Thieves Essential Oil + Uses, Benefits & Recipe

Thieves essential oil… such an unusual name for a hugely popular oil with a wide range of uses and benefits. The first I heard about this oil with its unusual name, my curiosity was piqued.

This Young Living essential oil blend is often used for its rich, earthy, spicy aroma. But there’s more to it than just its distinctive scent.

The uses of Thieves essential oil blend range from boosting immunity and soothing pain to healing wounds and keeping stress at bay. You can diffuse it to freshen up a room or add a drops to boost the efficiency of many household cleaning products.

Heard about this oil and want to know more? Here are some of the thing’s you’ll learn about Thieves Essential Oil:

What is Thieves Essential Oil?

What is in Thieves Essential Oil? (Yes, I’ve included a thieves essential oil recipe so you can make it yourself )

How does Thieves Essential Oil work?

Where to buy Thieves Essential Oil?

What is Thieves Essential Oil?

At first, the name may sound puzzling. Why ‘Thieves’? And what exactly is Thieves Essential Oil?

The history of Thieves Essential Oil is as interesting as the name itself.

The name “thieves oil” comes from a story that was passed down from the time of the terrible plague that spread like wildfire across Europe during the 15th century, claiming more than a million lives. The plague was highly contagious and most people would not go anywhere near people dead or dying from the plague for fear of contracting this dreaded disease.

As the legend goes, there were a few thieves from Marseilles who dared sneak into graveyards or break into the homes of people who were dying of the plague to rob from them. Somehow, the thieves themselves seemed to be immune to the deadly illness and did not contract any infection.

Legend has it that they protected themselves by using a special aromatic potion made from clove, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus rosemary and a few other botanicals. This combination of herbs and oils protected the thieves from getting infected.

When the thieves were finally caught, it turned out they were spice traders who understood the healing benefits of these herbs and spices. They were forced to reveal their secret formula to the king – it was either that or the death sentence. The now-revealed recipe was posted all over the country so other people too could use it to protect themselves from the plague. Not surprisingly, this recipe came to be known as Thieves Essential Oil.

The recipe for Thieves Essential Oil Blend is inspired by those ancient tales and so is the name.

What Is In Thieves Essential Oil?

So what is in Thieves Essential Oil that gives it its legendary healing properties?

The Thieves Essential Oil recipe is a potent combination of 5 essential oils – Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary.

Each of these essential oils is known for its protective and healing properties. The many benefits of Thieves Essential Oil can be attributed to the ingredients of individual oils that make up its composition.

Clove and Cinnamon essential oils are rich in eugenol, which gives these oils their renowned antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Eucalyptus and Rosemary get their antiseptic properties from an ingredient known as 1.8-cineole or eucalyptol compound.

Lemon essential oil’s antioxidant properties stem from its high concentration of d-limonene.

A look at the healing properties of the 5 oils in the Thieves Essential Oil recipe:

Clove – Clove essential oil supports the immune system and promotes overall wellness. It also acts as an antioxidant, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory.

Cinnamon Bark – In addition to providing immune system support, cinnamon bard essential oil also improves circulation and digestion.

Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus is one of the best essential oils for respiratory health. It also facilitates overall healing and helps fight bacterial infections.

Lemon – Lemon essential oil contains 68% d-limonene, which gives it its powerful antioxidant properties. It also detoxes the body and acts as a natural cleanser.

Rosemary – Rosemary essential oil boosts energy and improves focus. It also fights off lung infection and improves overall wellness.

When combined together in the right proportions, the resulting blend has powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-infectious properties, making it a go-to blend for several ailments.

If you are looking for just ONE oil to keep in your medicine cabinet, make it Thieves Essential Oil.

Thieves Essential Oil Uses & Benefits

Thieves oil is one of the most versatile essential oils you can use for both health and home. Some supplies you should buy to get the maximum benefits of Thieves Essential Oil:

Aromatherapy Diffuser – You’ll need this to diffuse the oil in your home for both, its scent and its healing benefits. Top-rated essential oil diffusers for less than $25

Roller Bottle – A roller bottle is easy to carry around everywhere you go so you can get the benefits of the oil when you step outside the home.

Glass Spray Bottle – Mix up a solution of the oil, vinegar and water and spray to clean any surface, from kitchen tops to sinks and bathrooms.

Now that you’ve got everything you need, let’s take a look at the many ways you can use Thieves Essential Oil.

Boost Immunity

When you see what’s in Thieves Essential Oil, this benefit comes as no surprise. All of the oils that make up this blend contain powerful properties that provide immune support.

Mix 2-drops of Thieves oil with a carrier oil and rub on feet to get its immune-boosting benefits. Jojoba oil or coconut oil are the best carrier oils for this purpose.

Diffusing this oil in your home can reduce the incidence of colds, flu, and strep throat.

Protect Against Respiratory Infections

This is the best oil to relieve nasal and chest congestion and manage sinus headaches.

To use Thieves essential oil for respiratory protection, add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water. Put your face directly over the bowl and create a tent with a dry towel to prevent the steam from escaping. Inhale deeply to clear the congestion and breathe more freely.

To clear chest congestion, mix a few drops with V-6 Massage Oil and gently massage into the chest area.

Relieve Pain

You’ll be glad you have a bottle of Thieves oil in your medicine cabinet when you are looking for something to relieve pain.

Mix a few drops of the oil with a carrier oil and gently massage into the affected part. V-6 Massage Oil is the best carrier oil to use for this purpose.

This can be used to relieve a stress headache, and sore muscles from over-exercising as well as joint pain caused due to arthritis.

Help Wounds Heal Faster

The antiseptic property of the oil is very effective in helping wounds and cuts faster. Add a few drops of Thieves essential oil to coconut oil and apply it to the affected area.

Get Rid of Germs While Traveling

Planes, trains and hotel surfaces are teeming with germs that we can’t see. You can control the concentration of germs you come in contact with while traveling by putting a few drops on a tissue and wiping down the surfaces you come in contact with.

Soothe Bee Stings & Poison Ivy Itchiness

Gently rubbing the affected area with a mix of Thieves oil and a carrier oil can help soothe that annoying itchy feeling. Repeat every couple of hours to get sustained relief.

When applied to bee and wasp stings, the thieves oil+ carrier oil mix helps neutralize the toxin and relieve the pain.

Combat Toenail Fungus

Being an anti-fungal, this oil is very useful for treating toe fungus.

How Does Thieves Essential Oil Work for Household Use?

There are several ways to use Thieves Essential Oil for home:

Put a few drops in your diffuser to fill the air with a wonderfully spicy and earthy aroma that’s refreshing and invigorating.

Make a room spray and use it around your home to get rid of airborne pathogens.

Mix a few drops with baking soda and wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces to get rid of any pathogens lingering around.

Mix a few drops in water and spray to repel insects on flowers and plants.

Where to Buy Thieves Essential Oil?

As with any other essential oil, you want to make sure you only use the highest quality Thieves Essential Oil.

Young Living sells its own Thieves Essential Oil and is my number one recommendation. 

Several essential oil brands sell their own proprietary thieves oil blend. Each of these may be formulated slightly differently from the original, however, the oils used in the formulation are always the same – clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary.

These are a few Thieves Blend variations that are highly rated on Amazon.