During the Black Plague of the 17th century, a small band of thieves were caught in the act and brought before the King who forced them to divulge a most curious secret. The thieves had been entering the homes of plague victims and stripping the dead bodies of money, jewelry and anything else of value that could be found. Although the Black Plague of the 17th century was highly contagious, not one of this morbid band of thieves ever contracted the dreaded plague, even though their thefts had put them in constant daily contact the dead bodies of plague victims. The King, eager to protect himself and the Royal Family, demanded to know how the thieves had avoided contracting the plague.

Soon enough the truth came out. The thieves were all members of the same family -- a family from a long lineage of apothecaries. Because of their intimate knowledge of the healing arts, passed down from generation to generation, they were familiar with a combination of specific plant oils that when rubbed over the human body, would protect the body from contracting this most feared and deadly disease. The King forced the thieves to divulge the specific plant oils used and the formula for extracting them from the plants. With that vital information in hand, he was thereby able to protect himself and his family from the deadly plague.

The recipe for the "thieves’ oils" can still be found in the Royal English Archives to this day. What's more, this story is not at all that unusual. In fact, it is widely known that many perfumers and tanners in 17th century England were also able to escape the Black Plague due to the fact that the powerful sweet-smelling plant oils used in the making of various perfumes and in the scenting of leather goods exhibit phenomenal antimicrobial properties.

Both the perfumers -- and the tanners who traditionally scented their handmade leather gloves with perfumes before selling them -- were protected by the antimicrobial properties of the plant oils in the perfumes that they were constantly exposed to in their daily work.

History further reveals that virtually the entire town of Bucklersbury, England was spared from the plague even while the residents of other towns in close proximity were dying in droves. How were the residents of Bucklersbury spared? Historians believe it was no fluke. This fortunate town was the center of the European lavender trade. The essential oil of lavender is widely used in making perfume. But more importantly, the oil of lavender has long been known to have powerful disease-fighting properties. In fact, recent scientific and medical research has proven that the essential oil of lavender has immune- stimulating and antimicrobial properties that rival and even surpass many modern antiseptic chemicals and antibiotic drugs.

Dr. Jean Valnet, M.D., one of the world's foremost authorities on the therapeutic uses of essential oils, points out that although the powerful medicinal value of essential oils is only now being rediscovered by modern medical science, it has actually been known for centuries. In fact, essential oils were considered more valuable than gold by ancient cultures, due to their phenomenal healing properties. Dr. Valnet states,

"In recent years, both doctors and the public have rediscovered the medical value of essential plant oils, but the idea of using their properties to maintain or regain health goes back to antiquity. The Romans had gotten their knowledge of essential oils from the Greeks, who in turn had received it from the Egyptians. Hippocrates, for example, tackled the plague epidemic in Athens by fumigating the whole city with aromatic essences of plant oils. Later in the 19th century, it is known that perfumery workers showed an almost complete immunity during cholera outbreaks."

Thieves is one of the best substances you can have in your home!