Four Thieves Oil Legend

Our Les Voleurs (Thieves in French) oil is inspired by The legend of the Four Thieves; a band of thieves robbing the possessions of dead bodies during the bubonic plague in 15th century France. Despite going into the homes of the sick and touching their bodies these thieves never caught the infection. When they were finally caught the judge said he would give them a more lenient sentence if they gave him their secret, so they did. Their secret was a blend of botanicals in vinegar, ingredients known to them because they were perfume and spice merchants, newly unemployed since the plague had meant the trading ports were closed.

The tale has been told many times, and is found in literature; the earliest being in the 1825 Pharmacologia where they refer to the aromatic vinegar used by the “four thieves of Marseilles”. We may never know whether the tale is true of not, but successful studies have been carried out using the ingredients of thieves oil, and it’s a gorgeous scented blend of extracts that can used in many ways.

Les Voleurs Ingredients & Uses

The extracts the thieves are said to have used were Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary and Lemon amongst others. Blue Labelle’s take on this – Les Voleurs, adds Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Lemon. 

It’s a heady brew that can be used in a number of ways:

• In a diffuser or oil burner to cleanse and invigorate the room
• Add a few drops to your hand wash
• Add to a spray bottle with water and vinegar to make a household cleaner
• Add a few drops to floor cleaning water
• Add to a tablespoon of body wash then swish into a bath
• Add a few drops to your bin to deodorise and freshen
• Gently sniff the bottle to get its aromatherapy benefits.