10 Ways to Use Thieves

We are fairly obsessed with essential oils at the clinic, and while we've covered how to use the three single oils that we stock, the essential oil blend Thieves has never had its moment in the sun. While Thieves can support healthy blood sugar levels and will easily make your space smell like autumn, its biggest claim to fame is its ability to boost the immune system. Hundreds of years ago, a band of robbers stole from those dying of the very infectious "Black Death". When they were apprehended, authorities demanded to know how they hadn't contracted the plague, and they shared the mix of spices they were rubbing on themselves...which Gary Young turned into his Thieves essential oil blend centuries later. Thieves is a blend of Lemon, Rosemary, Clove, Cinnamon, and Eucalyptus oils, and there are a variety of ways that you can make it a part of your daily health routine.

Inhaling essential oils is the easiest and least controversial way to use them, and Thieves has an warm, spicy, cozy aroma that's perfect for the time of year when people need immune support the most. Diffusing Thieves will fill a room with its health-promoting molecules for up to hours at a time, but you can also make holiday decorations that provide a similar benefit by using a few drops of Thieves on pine cones, ornaments, fall leaves, or almost anything else. Thieves doesn't have a color to it like some oils, but keep in mind that any essential oil has the ability to wear away plastic and other synthetic materials. Test a small patch of the decoration first to be on the safe side. Of course, you can also just sniff Thieves right from the bottle, for instance if you're between errands in your car.

Thieves is what we call a "hot" oil because some of its ingredients can produce redness and tingling when used directly on skin. (Have you ever accidentally touched the seeds of a jalapeno? Same concept, but usually not as intense of a reaction.) Because of this, dropping Thieves on the soles of the feet and then slipping on socks is probably the safest way to absorb this oil through the skin. However, you can easily cut the "heat" of the oil by diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Pre-mix diluted Thieves in a bottle with a roller top to quickly swipe it on throughout the day, or store the mixture in a jar to use at night as a natural breath-enhancing chest rub. If you still feel a strong tingle even after diluting it, simply apply more carrier oil over your skin to bring it down.

There is a bit of controversy whether it's safe to take essential oils internally, but if you want to try it after doing your own research, there are plenty of ways to do so. Of course you can simply fill empty capsules with olive oil and essential oils, but the spicy flavor of Thieves makes it the perfect addition to wintry beverages. Add a drop (or less! it's very strong...) to your tea or coffee for extra holiday spirit, keeping in mind that the hot nature of the blend will make your mouth tingle a bit - calm it down with a carrier oil if needed - and adding a bit of honey will disperse the oil molecules throughout your beverage, which is usually better than having them all sitting on top. Also always remember to only use glass or stainless steel containers, because essential oils naturally like to detoxify their surroundings like we mentioned earlier. In our bodies, that's great, but in a plastic container, that means pulling pieces of it into your drink, which isn't good for you or your cup!

Did you know that Young Living concocted entire lines of toxin-free Thieves products? The Lemon and Clove in the blend are great for oral health, so YL created Thieves mouthwash, toothpaste, and floss. There are also a number of cleaners based on the blend, everything from dish soap to laundry detergent to veggie washes. You can also make your own products by adding Thieves to DIY recipes, always making sure to test small patches of your home's surfaces before coating them with your homemade cleaners.

Does this post cover all the possible uses for Thieves? The answer is a resounding, "No!" Search Pinterest or Google for other ways to use Thieves and you'll find lists of 100+ suggestions. This versatile oil will help to keep your immune system strong no matter how you add it to your routine, and we're happy to offer it at our clinic for our patients.