The interesting legends of the 4-Thieves have long been a part of herbal history as an all natural preventative to contagious diseases.

One legend has the 4-thieves pilfering the homes of the dead during the Spanish Influenza without contracting it. A 14th century European legend has the 4-thieves robbing the homes during the Bubonic Plague, when they were caught the authorities wondered how they could rob so many homes without falling ill; in exchange for their secret they would be given their freedom. During the Plague of Marseille in the 1700’s the thieves rubbed a combination of herbal oils on their bodies before robbing the homes of the dieing and the dead again upon being caught they shared their secret and were allowed to go free. And another legend has the thieves stealing from the dead during the Black Plague; after they were arrested they were forced to bury the dead with the promise that if they survived they could go free, and because of their knowledge and use of herbs they survived.

Just like the legends there are a few formulas associated with the thieves. One formula is made using apple-cider vinegar 1/4part lavender, rue, wormwood, sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and elecampane along with 1/8part nutmeg. The tincture is made by placing the herbs in a wide-mouth jar and covering with 1-2 quarts vinegar (before sealing cover the opening with wax paper to avoid corrosion from the metal). Allow the herbs to steep for 6-8 weeks shaking daily, strain and rebottle storing the finished product in a cool dark place when it is finished. Other blends use lavender, sage, hyssop, peppermint, lemon balm and garlic or rosemary, wormwood, rue and peppermint. I personally make a blend combining all of these formulas.

There is also an Essential Oil Blend combining cloves, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary. This formula was found to be 99% effective when tested on airborne bacteria’s at Webster State University. In other studies these herbs were found to be highly effective in eliminating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus-aureus) because of their antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, astringent disinfectant and insecticidal properties.

The 4-thieves formula can be used as a preventative before or after the onset of an illness on a daily basis. (Not for pregnant or nursing mothers).

Adults can take 1 teaspoon of the tincture mixed with 1 teaspoon honey in a glass of water, and children can use ¼-½teaspoon in juice if he/she is over two then honey can be used. It can also be added to baths, it can be diluted and used in a spray bottle for a body spray, as a room spray (great for traveling especially musty rooms) or as a disinfecting spray for countertops. I make disinfecting wipes with 4-Thieves they’re great on countertops, grocery carts, diaper-changing areas, on telephones, sinks, cutting boards, the uses are end-less. It’s a healthy alternative to the toxic chemicals found in hand sanitizers or disinfectants. After doing the research on the properties of the herbs in these formulas I found these herbs to be beneficial for colds, flu, fever, parasites, stomach upsets, funguses, rashes and itches among other things.

I know I will be adding these blends (oil and tincture) to my herbal protocol especially with all of the flu hoop-la going on even if it is just a legend.

I’ve done the research and I believe.