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.