Many essential oils bring natural goodness to your home and lifestyle.
Then some blends compound that goodness, because of their synergistic power that comes from the various oils working in tandem.
Thieves essential oil is one of those special blends.
If you are an ardent enthusiast of essential oils, then you probably know that Thieves essential oil is in a class of its own. Not only is the scent delightful and irresistible, but the oils are also high quality, making it one of the must-haves essential oil for any kitchen cabinet.
One time, I had a group of close friends visiting me.
They happened to be doing dishes in the morning and once I was through. I quickly got a moderately sized sprayer bottle, filled it with water, and reached out to a cabinet that I store my essential oils in.
I selected my Thieves essential oil bottle, added a few drops to the spray bottle, and proceeded to use the solution to wipe the kitchen countertops clean as is my regular habit.

The scent is simply amazing and they could not help but immediately notice it.
Once done with the dishes, I deservedly rewarded myself with a shot of NingXia Red to which I added a drop or two of Thieves oil and threw it down the back of my throat. It has a great kick and is amazing for the immune system.
The look that my friends gave me suggested that I was out of my rocker for adding a cleaning agent to my drink.
I explained to them what just happened and invited them to have a shot too. Some loved it, some not so much.
It is fair to stay that NingXia Red is an acquired taste.
In case you are wondering, NingXia Red is a spicy antioxidant drink made from wolfberries better known as ‘Gogi’ berries from China.
You can mix it with Thieves essential oils in a number of recipes and create a fantastic healthy elixir.
Contents
- What is Thieves essential oil?
- Composition of Thieves oil
- 12 most important benefits of Thieves essential oil
- Most common methods of Thieves oil use
- Popular brands of Thieves oil
- How to make your own Thieves oil blend?
- Some practical ideas of using Thieves oil you can try right now
- Risks, precautions, and warnings
- Conclusion
What is Thieves essential oil?
The origins and making of Thieves essential oil have an incredible story that originates from medieval Europe.
The legend goes that highway robbers during the plague would rub on themselves several potent medicinal herbs such as clove, eucalyptus, and rosemary to protect themselves while robbing their fellow dead countrymen who had succumbed to the plague.
While you may not be getting thieves oil to rob anyone today, you are about to find out that this unscrupulous but ingenious robbers were on to something as those herbs they used did and still do indeed possess remarkable medicinal properties.
Composition of Thieves oil
Standalone essential oils are strong enough in themselves. When select essential oils are blended together, their strength s and qualities can be enhanced and deliver impressive outcomes in numerous applications.
Thieves oil is a blend of 5 essential oils namely:
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Eucalyptus Radiata
- Lemon
- Rosemary

These oils combined form a beautiful scent profile that smells like freshly baked goodies and a fresh sweet-scented garden combined.
12 most important benefits of Thieves essential oil
Thieves oil is not just a pretty scent but also packs a ton of potent medicinal properties that are beneficial in a myriad of ways.
Below, we take a closer look at these qualities.
1. Antimicrobial properties
Because of its antibacterial properties, thieves oil is often used as a disinfectant, house cleaner, and has become quite a staple in most home medicine cabinets.
According to the American Journal of Essential Oils and Natural Products, thieves oil is an effective home remedy for numerous ailments such as the common colds and coughs.
Studies suggest cinnamon oil, for instance, can curtail the growth of respiratory pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
Low concentration of cinnamon and clove also show high antibacterial activity against the causative agent for Lyme disease Borrelia burgdorferi as this research reveals.
2. Anti-inflammation properties
One of the enzymes that are responsible for inflammation, pain, and fever in the body is known as COX-2.
One study by Japanese researchers shows how clove and eucalyptus aid in suppressing COX-2.
The essential oils contained in Thieves oil such as clove, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils, all have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
3. Pain relief
Among the many qualities that clove essential oil has is its mild sedative quality that is effective in pain relief. That applies to painful sores such as mouth ulcers or temporarily relieving pain for a toothache.
Even the FDA recognizes the effects of clove oil as a dental pain reliever.
4. Effects on mood
Aromatherapy is one of the most effective ways to impact mood. The scent profile of this blend is very uplifting and will cheer you up, whether you are in the office, car, or bedroom.
Diffusing Thieves oil in your space will often promote a positive mood. The blend can also be used topically in a diluted form for massages.
The oils not only help relax muscles but the scent is remarkably relaxing and cheerful at the same time.
5. Reduces fever
As demonstrated in point #2, this blend has the potential to stop enzyme causing fever, inflammation, and pain. Lemon and eucalyptus are particularly effective in fighting free radicals and reducing fever.
6. Improves respiratory health
Eucalyptus contains crucial components known as 1,8-cineole which have antimicrobial properties capable of fighting colds and coughs. They also help in the reduction of fever.
Check out this study by naturopathic doctors for more information on their effect on respiratory issues.
7. Strengthens immune system
With a strong immune system, the body’s ability to fight disease is empowered. A weak immune system means that the body’s ability to fend off diseases becomes diminished.
All of the ingredients in Thieves essential oil are naturally constituted to boost the immune system.
They will either have an antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, or antiviral element, which is all essential in fighting disease.
Adding a drop or two of Thieves oil to a glass of hot water and a tablespoonful of honey does a great job in boosting the immune system. Adding a drop or two of Thieves oil in your salad will also result in the same effect.
8. Home cleaner
Thieves oil is a potent natural disinfectant that can be used for cleaning countertop surfaces with fantastic results owing to its germ-killing nature. It has a great smell too that will leave your countertops looking clean and also smelling great.
9. For skincare
Moisturized and supple skin can be elusive. But it doesn’t have to be, provided you are using effective ingredients.
Adding a couple of drops of Thieves oil to your unscented moisturizer will not only add a delectably scented sparkle to the moisturizer but will nourish your skin even more.
10. Helps eliminate harmful bacteria in the air
The antibacterial qualities and disinfecting properties in this oil can also be used in eliminating harmful bacterial and odors in the air.
You can do this by either diffusing the essential oil in a diffuser or by simply adding a few drops to a spray bottle with water and spraying a given space. This can be done in the car, office, or at home.
11. Bug repellent
While the scent of Thieves oil might smell pleasant and inviting to you, bugs in the home have the exact opposite reaction thanks to the lemon and eucalyptus contained in the oil.
Spraying and cleaning counters with a solution that contains some Thieves oil will send most bugs packing. Bugs hate the scent of mint that is why this blend is an effective bug repellant.
12. Wound healing
Thieves oil is good for wound healing, as well as cuts and scrapes.
Two studies have been done on this, one in 2018 and the other in 2019.
In the first one, it was found that applying eucalyptus oil in a special emulsion could heal wounds.
The second study showed that the application of cinnamaldehyde, which is a component of cinnamon oil, helps in wound healing. In addition, it reduces the number of bacteria that can occur in the affected area. Especially the bacterium Pseudomonas aeroginosa.
Most common methods of Thieves oil use
Thieves oil can be used in a number of ways, such as:
- Diffusing the oil in your space for aromatherapy
- Steam inhalation to clear congestion in the respiratory system
- As a massage oil when diluted with a carrier oil, such as jojoba
- In unscented lotions and creams
- Spray application for any space, such as the car or office
Popular brands of Thieves oil
While there may be so many brands selling this oil, you want to make sure that you purchase your thieves oil from a reputable brand with proven high quality in order to enjoy the oil’s benefit to a maximum.
Shield Thieves Essential Oil Blend by UpNature
The quality of the Shield Thieves oil by UpNature is fabulous and the price point even more inviting.
UpNature claims that they do not have to overcharge its customers for delivering a high-quality product.
As the name suggests, this thieves oil will help shield you from common germs and infection by fortifying your immune system.
As mentioned earlier, the Shield Thieves oil can be applied on your wrists, palms, neck, and behind the ears to help with a cough, cold, or ward off general infections. It smells good too and will also serve to lift your mood.
Five Guards Immunity Synergy Blend Health Shield by Natural Riches
Natural Riches is a respectable brand with an excellent aromatic Five Guard Thieves essential oil. The oil is aptly named because it contains five essential oils with infection-fighting abilities that help protect you against common infections.
This oil can be used in a number of ways, like diffusing it in your space, such as in your bedroom, car, or office.
Adding one or two drops to your salad will also help in boosting your immunity system.
This essential oil has been manufactured and stored with utmost care so as to ensure that a product with potent ingredients reaches your home for satisfactory personal use.
Customers often diffuse this brand in their spaces and are surprised at how long it lasts. That is because all it takes is a few drops on a diffuser to have your place filled with a delightful inviting scent.
Health Shield Essential Oil Blend by Healing Solutions
What sets Thieves oil by Healing Solutions Essential Oils apart is in ensuring they have the most superior ingredients from around the world.
Their quality has remained top-notch and consistent over the years thanks to their stringent standards in the cultivation, distillation, and bottling process.
This essential oil has a rich scent profile that works amazingly well with aromatherapy, such as in body massages, as well as diffusing the oil in your space.
Because of the fantastic scent, you can add a few drops to unscented lotion for even better skin nourishment.
Robbers' Relief by Butterfly Beauty Shop
Thieves essential oil by Butterfly Beauty Shop is an oil worth having in your medicine cabinet. That is because it contains eucalyptus and lemon, which are helpful with coughs and bring relief to the symptoms of common colds.
If the flu bug is going around the office, dabbing a few drops of this oil at the back of your ears, wrists and neck will not only have you smelling as fresh as a baked cookie but will also help ward off infections.
Clove and cinnamon have pretty strong antibacterial properties that are effective in a cleaning spray and can be used on countertops.
One to two drops of this Thieves oil in a favorite tea or hot water is an effective way to invigorate yourself and boost your immune system at the same time.
Thieves Essential Oil by Young Living 15 ml
Young Living is such a powerhouse brand when it comes to essential oils. So much that customers use their Thieves oil as a benchmark on quality when comparing thieves oil from other brands in the market.
So you should not even bat an eyelid when it comes to buying this thieves oil. The quality is excellent and worth every dollar.
If you are using the oil for massages or diffusion, you will be amazed at the strength of the scent as well as how long it lasts.
The uses are varied including being also effective in relieving pain against canker sores or toothache.
Clove has mild sedative qualities and can therefore temporarily relieve pain on an aching tooth.
It is an effective home remedy for coughs by simply rubbing some of it on the neck and chest.
How to make your own Thieves oil blend?
Surprisingly, if you have your own ingredients, making this essential oil is pretty easy provided they are of fine quality such as the brands mentioned above.
Here is what you need:
You will also need a dark glass bottle. This can be brand new or you can reuse an old Thieves essential oil bottle. Add all the ingredients into the bottle.
Recipe 1
Ingredients
- 40 drops clove bud oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus oil
- 20 drops cinnamon bark oil
- 35 drops lemon oil
- 10 drops rosemary oil
The prep time should not take you more than 10 minutes.
Once all ingredients are in the bottle, shake well, and leave to settle for a minute or two. Your Thieves essential oil will be ready for use.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
- 10 drops of rosemary oil
- 5 drops of lemon oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Mix the above and leave for five minutes to integrate into each other.
Apply as needed during a massage.
Some practical ideas of using Thieves oil you can try right now
1. Make a wellness tea
Wellness tea is very easy to make and one can always get creative.
We suggest a glass or cup of water, add 2 drops of thieves oil, and a tablespoonful of honey.
This will help with so many things. Not only is it refreshing but it can also help with colds as well as boosting the immune system.
2. Add to your toothpaste
Over and above the disinfecting quality of this blend, clove has mild, sedative qualities that serve to soothe canker sores. Adding a few drops of thieves oil to your toothpaste when brushing your teeth is beneficial.
The blend will also serve to freshen your breath beyond what the toothpaste would have.
3. Make air freshener
All you need to make an air freshener is a spray bottle with water.
Add a few drops into the solution to suit a preferred concentration level. Spray into your space and let the essential oils contained in thieves oil work their magic getting rid of odors and generally purifying the air.
4. Clean your home
The same way you make a spray applies to make a cleaning solution that is effective for cleaning and disinfecting countertops.
Not only does it clean, but it also leaves them smelling fresh and pleasant.
5. Make a breath spray
For those who love to have a fresh breath all day long, it is likely that you always have a pack of mints on you all the time.
Well, you can switch that up with formulating a tantalizing breath spray with Thieves essential oil.
A couple of drops into water in breathalyzer spray will do the trick really well. And it is just as portable as a mint pack only more effective at oral cleansing and freshness.
Risks, precautions, and warnings
Thieves oil is not harmful when ingested in very small quantities and always in diluted form.
Only a drop or two is sufficient in a full bowl of salad for serving as a supplement.
Nevermore than one to two drops in a beverage such as hot water and honey tea or NingXia Red.
Secondly, when used topically it should always be sufficiently diluted using a carrier oil sure has olive or almond oil.
Most importantly, if you are pregnant or haven’t yet consulted a physician to get an okay to use this oil, make sure you do.

Conclusion
The thieves from Marseille were on to something by using a mixture of herbs with strong infection-fighting capabilities.
In modern times, Thieves oil is being used as a timeless fragrance for soothing skin, aromatherapy for your well-being, and fighting the common cold as well as preventing germs and infections by purifying the air around us in varied spaces.
Thieves oil is so versatile that it can also be used for headaches, cleaning toys as well as for wiping your phone clean of germs every so often.
Thieves oil from a reputable brand is one special blend that should not be missing in any medicine cabinet at home.
So get yours today.
Have you used Thieves oil blend and what was your experience?
Let us know in the comments below and share this article with friends and family that you think need it.
Image credits: Pixabay.com and Amazon.com