Thieves Oil Recipe - DIY Essential Oil Protection Blend

This Thieves Oil recipe is a great blend for cold and flu season, when it is time to reach for some germ-fighting essential oils for your home.

A friend recently asked me for a thieves oil blend. This is the blend that I made for her, and I loved it so much I made another batch for myself.

This recipe creates an oil blend in a 5 ml glass bottle. I like to use a recycled essential oil bottle with the orifice reducer (the white insert that allows one drop at a time to come out), or you can use a pipette or glass dropper. 

Once you have this essential oil blend, you can use it in DIY recipes, diffusers, homemade cleaning products, etc. Check out our thieves diffuser blends!

Thieves Essential Oil Blend Benefits

Thieves essential oil blend is a powerful combination of Lemon, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary oils.

1. Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties

One of the primary benefits of the Thieves essential oil blend is its antimicrobial properties. Each oil used in the blend has unique advantages, and together they make a potent blend for freshening the air and cleaning surfaces.

The blend may help to cleanse the air and surfaces around your home.

2. Immune System Support

Thieves oil blend is traditionally used for seasonal wellness. Many people like to diffuse it during cold and flu season as part of their healthy-home routine. It is not a substitute for medical care, so see your doctor if you are sick.

3. Respiratory Health

Eucalyptus and Rosemary oils in this oil blend are known for their respiratory benefits. Inhalation of these essential oils can help open the airways, promote clear breathing, and support overall respiratory health. This can be particularly beneficial during colder months or times of seasonal allergies.

4. Cleansing and Purifying

Thieves blend is often used as a natural cleanser thanks to its purifying properties. It can clean household surfaces, such as countertops, floors, and bathroom fixtures, leaving a fresh aroma.

Additionally, it can be added to DIY cleaning solutions or used in a diffuser to create a clean and inviting atmosphere within the home.

5. Energizing and Uplifting

Lemon and Rosemary oils in the blend offer energizing properties. Their invigorating scents can help improve focus, increase mental clarity, and boost mood.

The Thieves blend may promote a positive mindset and overall well-being when diffused or inhaled.

Thieves Oil Ingredients

Do you want to know what the ingredients of Thieves Essential Oil are? Lemon, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils are the 5 powerful oils used in Thieves blend.

Aromatic Profile: Spicy, Citrus, Herbal

Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon)

• Its fresh and invigorating aroma makes lemon essential oil a top choice for all-natural cleaning.
• It has antiseptic properties, just smelling the vibrant scent of lemon brings thoughts of cleanliness.
• Perfect for DIY, non-toxic cleaners. Learn more about using lemon essential oil for cleaning.

Cinnamon Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

• A strongly antimicrobial oil that is traditionally used for seasonal support.
• Helps reduce unwanted bacteria and fungi on household surfaces.
• A favorite for diffuser blends and DIY cleaning products.
• You can use cinnamon bark or leaf essential oil. Bark will have a stronger scent.

Which cinnamon essential oil should you use, bark or leaf? Cinnamon Leaf is gentler than Cinnamon Bark. If you use this blend on your skin, leaf is the only option I recommend. Cinnamon bark may be preferred for cleaning purposes and diffusing.

Clove Essential Oil (Eugenia caryophyllata)

• This powerhouse oil is high in antioxidants and germ-fighting properties.
• It is one of the most antimicrobial and antiseptic essential oils, which makes it great for cleaning.
• Clove is anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-infectious, and antibacterial. Read more about clove essential oil in our spotlight.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus radiata)

• It has antibacterial, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties, making eucalyptus a favorite for respiratory support.
• You can use any type of eucalyptus, like Eucalyptus globulus.

Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Has a powerful, fresh, herbaceous scent reminiscent of an herb garden.
• It is an airborne antimicrobial, perfect for freshening and cleansing the air.

Thieves Essential Oil Safety Precautions

While Thieves essential oil blend offers many potential benefits, it is important to note that essential oils can be potent and should be used with caution.

Always dilute essential oils properly. Cinnamon and clove have a moderate to high risk of skin sensitization unless highly diluted; this blend is recommended for aromatic use only.

Consult a healthcare professional if you have any specific health concerns or conditions. Never ingest this blend. Skip it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This blend is not recommended for children under 10 years old. Keep diffusers away from cats, and make sure dogs can leave the room.

DIY Thieves Essential Oil Recipe - 5 ml

This potent blend of essential oils may cause irritation when applied to the skin, even when diluted. Best for aromatic use as clove and cinnamon are hot essential oils and can cause skin irritation and sensitization.

A 5 ml bottle holds about 100 drops of essential oil.

• 30 drops Lemon essential oil
• 20 drops Cinnamon bark or leaf essential oil
• 20 drops Clove bud essential oil
• 20 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
• 10 drops Rosemary essential oil
• 5 ml glass bottle

How to Make Thieves Oil: Add all essential oils into a recycled 5 ml essential oil bottle. Shake well to mix and label the bottle with the blend name.

I had an empty 5 ml lemon bottle, so I just used that one, no need to wash it out since this blend contains lemon. (I like to keep it simple!)

Thieves - Lemon Cinnamon Clove Eucalyptus Rosemary Essential Oil Blend Recipes

Diffusing Thieves blend in an aromatherapy diffuser is popular for boosting physical and mental well-being. Here are 2 diffuser blends to try if you don't want to make the 5 ml batch of this blend, plus an inhaler blend to enjoy while on the go. All are for adults and kids 10+.

5 Thieves Diffuser Blend

• 3 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Cinnamon
• 2 drops Clove
• 2 drops Eucalyptus
• 1 drop Rosemary
• Aromatherapy Diffuser

Directions: Add drops to the diffuser tank with your machine's required water. Turn on and enjoy your aromatherapy session!

Simple Thieves Diffuser Blend

• 2 drops Lemon
• 2 drops Cinnamon
• 2 drops Eucalyptus
• Aromatherapy Diffuser

Directions: Add drops to the diffuser tank with the required water for your machine. Turn on and enjoy your aromatherapy session!

Thieves Inhaler Blend

• 5 drops Lemon essential oil
• 3 drops Cinnamon essential oil
• 3 drops Clove essential oil
• 3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
• 2 drops Rosemary essential oil
• Aromatherapy Inhaler

Directions: Add drops onto the cotton wick, place the wick into the inhaler, and put on an end cap. Bring the open inhaler under your nose and take a deep breath. Repeat as needed. Replace the lid between uses to preserve the aroma.

5 Thieves Oil Blend - DIY Recipes

You can create a batch of this blend in different sizes depending on your needs. Below, choose the size of the recipe for thieves oil you desire, add the drops to an empty bottle, and shake to mix the blend.

1 ml Bottle (approx. 20 drops)

• 6 drops of Lemon
• 4 drops of Cinnamon
• 4 drops of Clove
• 4 drops of Eucalyptus
• 2 drops of Rosemary

2 ml Bottle (approx. 40 drops)

• 12 drops of Lemon
• 8 drops of Cinnamon
• 8 drops of Clove
• 8 drops of Eucalyptus
• 4 drops of Rosemary

10 ml Bottle (approx. 200 drops)

• 60 drops of Lemon
• 40 drops of Cinnamon
• 40 drops of Clove
• 40 drops of Eucalyptus
• 20 drops of Rosemary

15 ml Bottle (approx. 300 drops)

• 90 drops of Lemon
• 60 drops of Cinnamon
• 60 drops of Clove
• 60 drops of Eucalyptus
• 30 drops of Rosemary

How to Use Thieves Oil

Thieves essential oil blend can be used in various applications. Here are some ideas:

- Diffuse 3 to 6 drops of thieves essential oil blend for comfort when you have the sniffles and feel stuffy.

- For a foot massage, make your blend with cinnamon leaf (not bark), then dilute just 2 to 3 drops in 1 oz of carrier oil. Adults only, and patch test first.

- Diffuse 6 to 8 drops throughout your home or office to remove airborne odors.

- Add to any of your cleaning products to naturally clean and freshen your home.

- Add a few drops of Thieves to your washing machine load to eliminate odors and boost cleaning. Be sure not to drop directly onto fabric to avoid staining clothes.

How to Make Thieves Spray

This DIY thieves spray is easy to make and very effective. I spray it on household surfaces, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, like sinks, toilets, doorknobs, etc. Try using your homemade thieves essential oil recipe in this spray blend:

• 30 drops of Thieves Essential Oil Blend
• 2 oz Grain Alcohol (like Everclear)
• 6 oz Distilled Water
• 8 oz Spray Bottle

Directions: Add the essential oil blend and grain alcohol to the spray bottle and swirl to mix, then add the water. Shake to blend, and before each use. Use on surfaces, not on skin or pets.

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Alternatives to Homemade Thieves Oil

If you do not want to make your own thieves recipe, many essential oil companies sell a pre-made version under their own blend name. Check the label for the same five oils (clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary), look for botanical names on the bottle, and buy in dark glass. Here is how I choose quality essential oils.

What essential oil is comparable to thieves?

Thieves oil is a unique blend of essential oils known for their natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which is why it is so popular for cleaning and seasonal diffusing.

What essential oil is comparable to thieves? Do we have to just pick one?? Oregano oil is one possible option. Oregano oil is also high in antioxidants and has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacteria. Clove would be another top choice if you can only have one essential oil to replace thieves.

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