The legend of the Four Thieves stems from the 14th century “Black Plague” which killed almost 25 million people. The Plague was an aggressive infection that spread through the lymph system and killed 2 out of 3 people within days of being infected. According to the legend, thieves robbed the corpses and homes of the dying without becoming infected with the plague. When the thieves were finally apprehended, they received a lighter sentence in exchange for their formula of oils used for protection from the plague.
A copy of this recipe appears in the museum of old Marseille:
“Take 3 pints of strong white wine vinegar, add a handful each of wormwood, meadowsweet, wild marjoram and sage, 50 cloves, 2 ounces of campanula roots, 2 ounces of angelica, rosemary, and horehound and 3 large measures of camphor. Place the mixture in a container for 15 days, strain and express, then bottle. Use by rubbing it on the hands, ears, and temples from time to time when approaching plague victims.”
It is from this recipe Gary Young formulated the “Thieves” blend of essential oils.
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