The 4 Thieves and the Plague

While there may not be one exact version of the story, there is one thing certain, the Bubonic Plague was a killing machine.

But during the plague four thieves went from house to house to rob those who had died from the illness, but they remained healthy.

After the thieves were captured and tried for the robberies, a judge offered to make a deal if they would explain how they were able to be around the sick but not be affected by the illness. 

If you look at the photo above, with the bird looking creature, it's interesting, that during the time of the plague in Europe, physicians wore long black robes, wide brimmed hats, and masks that appeared to have a beak. 

The reason for doing this is that the masks contained a combination of herbs, spices, and essential oils that the physicians would breathe in order to keep themselves safe from those infected.

While there are a few versions of the story they all center around one event, the Bubonic Plague.

So what did the thieves do to avoid the plague and what were the herbs, spices, and essential oils used in the masks of the physicians?

What we do know is that the powerful combination of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, and rosemary has been found to be strong enough to reduce bacterial cultures by 99.96%.

Antimicrobial properties

• A 2017 studyTrusted Source found that low concentrations of cinnamon and clove oil had high antimicrobial activity against persistent cultures of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease.
• A 2018 studyTrusted Source found that vapors of cinnamon oil inhibited the growth of respiratory pathogens like Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in a petri dish. But eucalyptus oil had little activity.
• A 2012 studyTrusted Source showed that eucalyptus oil had antimicrobial activity against two types of bacteria that can cause disease in humans: Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (skin infections).
• Overall, fewer studies have been performed on lemon oil. But twoTrusted SourcestudiesTrusted Source from 2019 observed that it has some antimicrobial properties.

Here are some ways you can use thieves oil in your day-to-day life.

Diffusion

A diffuser is a device that allows the scent of essential oils to disperse throughout a room. Typically the oils are placed in the diffuser along with water. Diffusion can be good for things like:

• providing ambiance to a room
• promoting alertness
• elevating mood
• reducing feelings of stress or anxiety

To use thieves oil for diffusion, carefully follow the product instructions that came with your diffuser. This is important, because the directions may vary by product.

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation involves adding essential oils to a bowl of steaming water. The hot water vaporizes the oil, allowing it to be inhaled with the steam. This application may help with respiratory congestion or sinus issues.

To use thieves oil for steam inhalation, you can do the following:

1. Add several drops of thieves oil to steaming water. You may want to start with just a couple drops so the scent isn’t overwhelming.
2. Place a towel over your head and lean over the bowl of water.
3. Keeping your eyes closed, breathe in deeply through your nose.

Massage

You can also make massage oils using essential oils. To do this, the thieves oil must be diluted in another type of oil, which is called a carrier oil. Carrier oils can include things like jojoba oil and coconut oil. Don’t apply essential oils directly on the skin unless diluted in a carrier oil.

The University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing recommends that the total percentage of essential oil shouldn’t exceed 3 to 5 percent of the total solution volume.

If you’re planning on applying massage oil to a large area, consider using a 1 percent solution.

Lotions and creams

You can also add thieves oil to unscented lotions and creams. These preparations can then be used for purposes such as soothing, cleansing, or helping with wound healing.

Like with massage oils, you’ll need to dilute thieves oil in the cream or lotion before applying it to your skin.

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends that the final essential oil concentration be 1 to 2.5 percent for normal skin and 0.5 to 1 percent for sensitive skin.

Spray application

You can also use thieves oil in a spray. You may find this helpful for enhancing the scent of a room. Or you may want to tap into the antimicrobial properties of thieves oil and use it as a mild cleanser.

To use thieves oil in a spray:

1. Add 10 to 15 drops of thieves oil per ounce of water used.
2. Optional: Add a dispersing agent, such as solubol, to the solution. This helps the oil diffuse better in the water.
3. Shake well and spray. You’ll need to shake it every time before you spray.