12 Thieves Essential Oil Uses for Everyday Wellness

If you’ve heard anything about essential oils and their affinity for supporting vitality even in the face of a deadly plague, then you know the story behind four thieves oil. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the tale, suffice to say that over 25 million Europeans succumbed to the bubonic plague from 1346-1665, save for a group of robbers in the town of Marseilles who were able to loot its victims without falling ill. (source)

Upon their eventual apprehension, it was discovered that the thieves used a special concoction of herbs steeped in vinegar that protected them from contagion.

Today, the thieves blend is as varied as the fabled stories, but we know one thing to be true, it’s efficacy!

So how can we support our well-being in our modern-day lives using this historic blend?

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12 Thieves Essential Oil Uses for Everyday Wellness

While you can certainly make the vinegar version of four thieves using herbs, I think it’s safe to say that the essential oil blend has become the mainstay preparation in recent years thanks to the explosion in popularity regarding essential oils.

And, I have to admit wholeheartedly – the thieves essential oil blend is one of the most prized and most used in my collection – and I have A LOT of essential oils.

So, what makes this blend so special?

Thieves oil typically consists of a (varied) mixture of the following essential oils:

These essential oils are known to stimulate and boost immunity and protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms making it the perfect blend to use for seasonal threats.

What is thieves essential oil good for?

Here are 12 ways I like to use thieves essential oil in my everyday life:

How do you Use Thieves Essential Oil for Household Cleaning

I’m a stickler when it comes to keeping my house clean and can be picky when choosing natural household cleaners. I don’t want smelly unhealthy chemicals to be used unless absolutely necessary but still want to know that germs, mold, and bacteria are being controlled. (source)

That’s where the thieves blend comes into play.

Here are three ways I like to use thieves for keeping my house clean:

As an all-purpose spray - The essential oil can be added to distilled vinegar and used as an all-purpose spray for cleaning sinks, toilets, countertops, doorknobs, remote controls, and other frequently touched surfaces to help keep the spread of germs to a minimum. I even spritz this on the mop pad on my iRobot Braava to keep the floors spick and span. To make the spray, add 60-80 drops of thieves essential oil to 16oz of 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar. These are the 16oz spray bottles I use. Here is another recipe for thieves spray you can make.

Added to scouring powder – Adding thieves to unscented scouring powder creates a beautifully scented yet effective cleaning agent that can be used for scrubbing sinks, showers, and toilets. I usually add 5 drops of thieves per 1 TB of scouring powder. This is the scouring powder I like to use.

Diffused to purify the air – Adding a few drops of thieves to a diffuser while cleaning helps eliminate odors and deter airborne germs and bacteria.

As a mattress, carpet, and upholstery freshener – Add a few drops of thieves oil to baking soda for the perfect freshening powder that can be used on carpets, mattresses, and upholstery. Let it sit for a good hour before vacuuming up the powder. You can learn how to make my favorite version here.

How do you Use Thieves Essential Oil for Immune Support?

Supporting a healthy immune system is another priority of mine when it comes to wellness and thieves fits the bill perfectly. Not only does the blend work well in the home to ward off illness, it can also be used topically to help support a strong immune system. (source)

Some of the ways I use thieves for immunity include:

Diffusing in the home – During cold and flu season I will typically diffuse a few drops of thieves essential oil in the main areas of my house on a daily basis, especially if guests are visiting. I do this by adding a few drops of thieves to a diffuser and then running the diffuser in the living room and in the bathroom that guests will be using to help stave off the spread of germs.

Adding a few drops to unscented hand soap – Adding thieves oil to unscented hand soap not only smells delicious, it also helps kill germs and bacteria on the hands and will even continue to do so for a short while afterward. This helps mitigate the spread of viruses and bacteria in the home. To make thieves infused soap simply add 40 drops of thieves essential oil to 8 oz of unscented hand soap. You can learn to make foaming hand soap here.

Applied topically – When properly diluted (3-4 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil), thieves can be applied to the bottoms of the feet or chest to help protect the body from contagion and boost immune function. This can be done twice daily.

As a hand sanitizer - Making your own thieves hand sanitizer is the perfect way to keep your hands germ free while on the go! Learn how to make it here.

How do you Use Thieves Essential Oil for Personal Care?

Thieves essential oil can also be used in a number of homemade personal care products to help enhance healing and support the body.

I like to do this by using thieves in the following ways:

Mixed into toothpaste – I like to add a single drop to a good dollop of toothpaste (mixed in very thoroughly) to help support healthy gums and teeth. The thieves oil helps fight germs and bacteria which can help lessen plaque production while also encouraging healthy circulation and healing.

Mixed into deodorant – this one may sound strange but don’t knock it till you try it! It makes one of my favorite scented deodorants that not only smells great but also fights off odor-causing bacteria as well! You can learn how to make four thieves deodorant here.

Used as a throat spray – I often add just one drop of thieves oil per 10ml of water and use it as a throat spray/breath freshener. The oil blend helps alleviate symptoms of sore throat while also killing odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. This makes for the perfect travel companion. I simply spritz a spray or two on the back of my throat to help protect myself from catching a cold or flu while traveling or to use after meals to help freshen up. You can read more about this recipe here.

As a massage oil – When properly diluted, thieves oil makes for a lovely warming massage oil that can be used on tense or sore muscles. Simply add 5 drops of thieves oil per 1 oz of carrier oil and massage areas of discomfort, avoiding any sensitive areas.

As a spot treatment – make the above massage oil and dab it onto unopened blemishes to help reduce inflammation and kill acne-causing bacteria.

As a scented candle for relaxation - It's no secret that thieves essential oil smells like fall in a bottle. I love to enjoy its scent and the comforting light of a candle through the colder parts of the year by making thieves infused soy candles. You can learn how to make them here.

Four Thieves Essential Oil Recipe

Now that you have several ways to use thieves oil, how do you make your own?

There are SO many recipes for making your own version of thieves that it can be hard to pinpoint the most effective blend.

Over the years, I have personally enjoyed using this recipe.

If you don't feel like making your own, I personally enjoy the following pre-made blends:

Medieval Mix by Aura Cacia
Thieves by YL
On Guard by doTerra
Germ Fighter by Plant Therapy

Four Thieves Oil Safety Precautions

It is very important to note that many of the essential oils contained within the thieves essential oil blend are extremely potent. Clove, cinnamon leaf, and cinnamon bark are especially “hot” in nature and need to be used with caution and properly diluted.

Rosemary and eucalyptus essential oil must be used with caution especially around children under 10 years old.

Lemon essential oil has phototoxic properties that react with direct sunlight, so you should not apply thieves oil to exposed areas of the skin.

You should also not use thieves oil topically if you are pregnant or nursing.

What have been your favorite ways to use thieves oil? Please share in the comment below!