One of the first recipes Sarah Munro (the heroine of ONE DARK WISH, book 2 in the Deadly Force series) added to her historical collection of herbal remedies was Thieves Oil.
Thieves Oil, a concoction made from a number of different essential oils, is based on a 15th Century story, when all of Europe and Asia were dealing with the bubonic plague. Supposedly, four thieves from Europe robbed over 400 dead and dying people yet were never infected with the highly-contagious disease. When these men were finally caught, the magistrate offered them a reduced sentence (not death) in return for their secret.
Their secret was this concoction of essential oils, including clove, cinnamon, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lemon, that they mixed together and wore on their necks, hands, and wrists. Luckily, all of these essential oils are easily available and we can make our own Thieves Oil at home. Just mix them together in an amber drop bottle and you’re all set. I like to add this oil to my diffuser in the winter, and I add a few drops to a spray bottle filled with water. This Thieves Oil Spray disinfects everything from my cell phone to remote controls to door handles.
Some people say that when you’re sick with the flu or a sore throat, you can add a few drops of Thieves Oil to a carrier oil (I like almond oil) and rub a bit on the bottoms of your feet. Do this once in the morning and at night to help improve your immunity.
Sarah Munro’s Thieves Oil
INGREDIENTS:
- 40 drops clove bud essential oil
- 35 drops lemon essential
- 20 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
DIRECTIONS:
Carefully drop all of the above essential oil into a single amber bottle with its own dropper. Shake well. Add to a carrier oil, or water in a spray bottle, or even add a few drops to the water in your mop bucket.
Important Disclaimer: Herbal Remedies, Wild Plants, and Foraging
The information shared in my Romance Herbalist posts is intended for educational, historical, and entertainment purposes only. I am not a physician, licensed herbalist, or other medical professional. Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Herbs, flowers, spices, and other plants have been used for centuries in cooking, traditional remedies, and folk medicine. However, natural does not always mean safe. Some plants can be toxic, cause allergic reactions, interact with medications, or be unsuitable for certain medical conditions.
Before preparing, consuming, or using any herbal product, please keep the following precautions in mind:
- Medications and medical conditions: Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally, particularly if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, have an existing medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing something for children.
- Allergies: Research potential allergic reactions and cross-reactivity, especially if you have known allergies to plants, herbs, or spices.
- Plant identification: Never harvest or consume a wild plant unless you can positively identify it and confirm that it is safe for its intended use. Some poisonous plants closely resemble edible or medicinal varieties.
- Harvesting and foraging: Avoid collecting plants from roadsides, chemically treated areas, contaminated soil, or locations where pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants may be present. Always follow local foraging laws and respect private property.
- Preparation and consumption: Research appropriate preparation methods, potential side effects, and safe quantities before using any plant. Certain plants may be safe in food but dangerous when concentrated or prepared incorrectly.
- Food safety: Use clean equipment, properly stored ingredients, and appropriate food-handling practices when preparing herbal teas, infusions, syrups, or other homemade products.
A note about traditional remedies: References to historical or folkloric uses of plants do not establish that those uses are medically effective or safe. Any discussion of potential health benefits is provided for general information and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
By choosing to forage, prepare, or consume any plant or herbal product discussed on this website, you accept responsibility for your own research, decisions, and safety. The author makes no guarantees regarding the safety, effectiveness, or suitability of any plant, recipe, or preparation described.
When in doubt, consult a qualified professional before using any herb or wild plant.
