Thieves oil blend has numerous names. People call it the four thieves oil, robbers essential oil, Marseilles blend, Marseilles vinegar, etc. (1)
The oil is a powerful blend of five essential oils; Clove, Lemon, Rosemary, Cinnamon, and Eucalyptus.
It originated in medieval Europe and has a colorful historical reference to spice trades and the black plague. (2)
According to research conducted at Weber State University in Utah, thieves’ oil can fight off 99% of airborne bacteria. (3)
Thieves oil blend may boost your natural immune defense. But, apart from this, the primary merit thieves oil blend has many other health benefits.
This therapeutic oil is an ideal agent for relieving stress, bacterial and viral infections, respiratory illnesses, digestive disorders, skin and hair problems, etc. (4)
This article reviews the research-backed uses and benefits of thieves’ oil.
16 Uses and Health Benefits of Thieves Oil
1. For Skin Care
The combined antiseptic properties of lemon and eucalyptus essential oils in the thieves blend can work marvel on your skin problems. These essential oils are purifying agents in flushing out the toxins from your body and skin pores.
Thieves oil is highly recommended for you if you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, boils, pimples, warts, acne, and other skin problems. (6)
The antioxidants in thieves oil can improve your skin’s elasticity and save you from wrinkles and premature aging.
For your daily skincare routine, you can mix a few drops of thieves oil with any carrier oil such as jojoba and coconut oil.
RELATED: How to Use Argan Oil for Acne & Acne Scars
2. Helps Respiratory Health
Cinnamon and eucalyptus oils work as natural expectorants and decongestants in the thief’s oil blend. They can loosen the phlegm or mucus buildup and expel them out of your respiratory organs.
Their antibacterial properties are beneficial in fighting off harmful pathogens and viral infections. (7) Cold, sore throat, bronchitis, and persistent coughs come with discomfort and irritations. Clove oil is a perfect agent in thieves’ oil to soothe these inflammations.
3. Helps Digestive Health
A healthy digestive function is a prerequisite for your overall wellness. You may often suffer from stomach problems such as indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, bloating, etc.
Clove and rosemary oils in the thieves blend can effectively cure these disorders. These beneficial ingredients in thieves oil can keep a healthy balance of gut bacteria and sort out stomach issues. (8)
RELATED: 7 Essential Oils for Gut Health & Gut Flora
4. Boosts Immune System
The most important health benefits of thieves oil are its immune-boosting quality. So it is because all of the essential oil constituents in thieves’ oil work together to build a strong immune defense in your body.
The five essential oils in the blend are full of antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. (9) Hence they form an impenetrable shield against all sorts of viruses and bacteria from entering your body.
5. Improves Bone Health
The bone-strengthening merit of thieves’ oil comes from clove oil. Clove oil has polyphenols and some active compounds to promote the absorption of minerals and nutrients in your bones. Thus, thieves’ oil gives you healthier bones and protects against osteoporosis. (10)
6. Fights Obesity
Oil can be the right solution for you if you are leading a pathetic life because of obesity thieves. The lemon essential oil in the thieves blend is a popular remedy for weight loss. Lemon oil can trigger the release of certain body hormones to give you a sense of fullness while eating.
Thus you can take your diet moderately. Moreover, all the ingredients of thieves oil have a chemical effect on your metabolism. (11) Thieves oil promotes fat burning and helps you with a slim and toned figure.
7. Home Cleaning Agent
Apart from health benefits, thieves oil has some practical uses too. You can comfortably use this oil as a disinfectant home cleaning product. The refreshing aroma and antiseptic properties of thieves oil give you a germ-free and hygienic home environment. (12)
8. For Cuts and Wounds
Thieves oil is an effective home remedy for minor wounds, cuts, and bruises. The antimicrobial properties of the thieves blend can give you a speedy recovery from the inflammations. The oil keeps away the opportunist bacteria from infecting the wounds and cuts. (13)
9. For Headaches and Head Pressures
If you experience a headache and pressure inside your head, it’s due to the sugar level fluctuation of your body. A light massage of thieves oil on your forehead, neck, and roof of the mouth can recover you from these issues.
10. For Teeth and Gums
Clove, cinnamon, and lemon oils are great oral hygienic products. The antibacterial properties of this oil can fight off bacterial growth to prevent cavities, toothaches, and other dental issues. You can safely add this oil to your daily dental care routine.
A mixture of thieves oil with your toothpaste can give you strong gums. The sweet aroma of thieves’ oil is beyond compare. You can safely apply this oil inside your mouth. It’ll provide a refreshing breath as a natural mouth freshener. (14)
11. Benefits against Sinuses
sinus pressures are terrible. Thieves oil has the combined strength of several decongestant oils to relieve your sinuses. A steam inhalation therapy with thieves oil can clear up the phlegm and free your sinuses. (15)
12. For Allergic Reactions
Thieves oil can also reduce the inflammations and rashes associated with allergic reactions. Thieves oil is your ultimate rescue if you are down with a notorious poison and ivy rash. A few drops of thieves blend can reduce the irritations, swellings, and redness of the allergic outbreak. (16)
13. Pain Reliever
Thieves essential oil has rich analgesic value. A few drops of thieves blend can soothe your muscle and joint aches sting from insect bites, burns, etc. The oil blend significantly reduces pains caused by bone fractures and arthritis. (17)
14. Benefits for Foot
Nail fungal growth, athlete’s foot, winter bugs, and smelly feet are some of the annoying issues related to your feet. Now you can effectively treat these disorders with thieves oil. You can instantly apply thieves blend to ward off nail fungus, infections, bad odor, etc.. (18)
15. Heals Cold and Canker Sores
Cold and canker sores are painful and irritating swellings or bumps on your mouth. Cold sores are extremely contagious because they result from herpes simplex virus 1. You suffer from a canker sore because of a minor injury in the tissues or stressful life. (19)
You can apply thieves oil topically on the sores to reduce the irritations, swellings, and pains. The antiviral properties in the oil blend can treat HSV-1 responsible for cold sores.
16. Battles Lyme Disease
Lyme is a bacterial infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. This infectious disease may give you fatigue, fever, headache, and Lyme rashes. You can intake 4 drops of thieves oil filled capsules for a speedy recovery from Lyme. (20)
How to Use Thieves Oil
You can use thieves’ essential oil in the following ways to avail of the mentioned health benefits.
Aromatic diffusion and inhalation: this process refers to inhaling the healing properties of thieves blend via a diffuser, steam therapy, or directly from the jar. This process effectively relieves chest and respiratory tract congestion, allergies, sinus headaches, etc.
Diffusing Thieves oil in your living space for 15-20 minutes can provide a pathogen-free and fragrant environment. Breathing in this aromatic blend can help you concentrate better and uplift your mood and positive feelings.
Topical application: this method dilutes thieves’ essential oil with any carrier oil and applies directly to the affecting areas. You can either message or apply the oil blend to work its effects.
Normally you can dilute 4-5 drops of thieves oil with a tablespoon of jojoba, coconut, or almond oil to apply topically. The topical application of thieves oil is good for treating pimples, acne, colds, insect bites, poison ivy rash, shingles, etc.
Dietary supplements: a few drops of thieves essential oil filled inside capsules can be orally ingested. However, diluting the oil in a glass of milk or warm water before consuming it is even better.
Swishing thieves’ oil solution is a great way to treat dental problems. In addition, thieves oil as a dietary supplement can improve your immune defense, and cure Lyme, acne, toothache, gum disease, etc.
How does Thieves Oil Benefits Your Health?
The fascinating fact is that thieves’ oil combines five potent essential oils. Each essential oil in the thieves’ oil blend has its contribution to your health. These essential oils work together to promote your wellness to the maximum degree. (5)
The beneficial elements in these oils may overlap each other, but in doing so, their effects become stronger. Therefore, you need to look closely at the merits of these individual essential oils to understand the overall healing effects of the thieves’ oil blend.
Clove oil
Clove oil comes from aromatic spice cloves. It has the following contributions:
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
- Promotes stronger bones
- Strengthens the immune system and digestive functions
- Relieves oral illnesses, headaches, and cold
Lemon oil
This refreshing citrus oil has the following benefits:
- Natural coagulant and antiseptic agent
- Relieves respiratory disorders such as cold, sore throat, congestion
- Reduces scars, pains, and burns
- Heals digestive problems such as constipation
RELATED: 10 Ways Lemon Oil Can Benefit your Health
Cinnamon oil
This ayurvedic spice contributes the following merits to thieves’ oil blend:
- Purifies your blood and regulates circulation
- Great analgesic agent to relieve pains, menstrual cramps, etc.
- Cures respiratory illnesses and digestive problems
- Promotes neurological functions
- Works as a natural breath freshener
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil has the following merits:
- Promotes healthy skin and mental health
- Natural decongestant for respiratory disorders
- High level of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil has to offer:
- Strong immune system
- Detoxification of your body
- The relaxed and joyful mood
- fights stomach problems such as diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, etc.
Let’s look at some of the uses and benefits of Thieves essential oil.
Homemade Thieves Essential Oil Recipe
There are hundreds of variations of thieves’ oil. All these variants have come down or evolved from the original recipe of the thieves oil blend. However, the 5 key or base ingredients in all the thieves’ blends are the same. Therefore, you can prepare your own thieves blend at home using these 5 essential oils.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- clove essential oil- 2 tablespoons
- lemon essential oil- 2 tablespoons
- cinnamon essential oil- 2.5 teaspoons
- eucalyptus essential oil- 2 teaspoons
- Rosemary essential oil- 2 teaspoons
Directions:
- Add all the ingredients to an airtight glass jar or bottle
- Now, shake and mix the ingredients thoroughly
- Preserve the oil blend in a cool and dry place
Bottom Line
In conclusion, we would like to remind you of some warnings to follow before using any essential oils. First, avoid using thieves’ oil If you are pregnant and breastfeeding. You should also do a patch test and dilute the oil blend to prevent allergic reactions.
Thieves oil has numerous health benefits and uses for the skin, digestive and respiratory system, and so on. However, before using this potent essential oil, you should consult an expert regarding the appropriate amount and procedure.
READ NEXT: 10 Essential Oils for Sinus Congestion, Headaches, and Infections
