40:100 swine flu, eek!

40:100 swine flu, eek!



yesterday we got a report that a 40 yr old woman died in our
small local hospital from the swine flu.
on wednesday i came across 3 people at their homes who
had been diagnosed for h1n1. (i didn't go in- left asap)
i was rubbing my 4 thieves oil on my hands every few hours!!

then this morning i woke to the report that 19 more children
had perished from the same last week.
how important it is for us all to maintain proper hygiene during this time.
eat well with lots of fresh fruits & veggies, get rest, sunshine, pure water,
plenty of cleaning & hand washing, etc...
health seems to be on everyone's mind these days.

we just got back from a weekend of spiritual encouragement
and learned how not to neglect our spiritual health.
so many of the same principles apply when it comes to our minds and hearts
keeping proper spiritual hygiene. how important that is also!

today the sun shines here brilliantly
and i intend to get my full 15 minutes of vitamin d
perhaps i will do my Bible reading out on the deck
before i get to scrubbing my house
on this wonderful monday morning.

stay safe & healthy my friends,
making sure of the more important things!
xoxo
snowdrop

19:100 garden to bed

can't believe it's been 6 days since my last post.
we were away 4 days on a volunteer project
then to a wedding where i took the pictures for the bride & groom
when i came home it was more than chilly-
we had a frost (first one here on the lake)

so i had to go out and pillage the rest of the edibles
from out of the garden and pull the plants that are
not frost resistant.
the last hour of daylight was a very busy one!
the kale & collards still stand proudly. :)
and the potatoes are still snuggled in the earth.
soon the entire garden will be put to bed
and covered with a blanket of soft fluffy white snow.
i saved my sunflower heads for the winter birds
they will enjoy that, i'm sure.

this morning i began on the laundry
that i swear, the neighbors must have been adding to the basket....
how could 2 people left unattended bring so many
items to the basket?!?!

the house smells cinnamon fresh since i added a few drops
to the vacuum basin....
and also an extra boost to my 4 thieves vinegar/water spray.
i am so very happy with that blend, knowing i am preventing
the bacteria virus mold that is prevalent during the fall months.
i was very impressed to read about the cinnamon oil
being able to even kill airborne pathogens
and the 5 oil combination that works together in a synergistic
manner to do even more good than each oil alone can accomplish.
amazing stuff.

since we last were together here on the blog
i had the opportunity to make peace with someone
who wasn't on good terms with me, and i missed her so.
i feel like crying with happiness every time i think
of having my dear friend back in my life.
such a weight lifted,
forgiveness, being forgiven,
it is such a gift and blessing.

joy.



xoxo
snowdrop

11:100 science behind 4 thieves oil

11:100
i just got done making a new batch of 4 thieves oil.
(went to health food store bought .5 oz bottle each of
lemon, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, & rosemary oil...
mix in glass jar, pour back into bottles, label)
i came across a wonderfully informative article that i wanted
to be sure to share with you. it approaches why the oils work
on a scientific level
i love it!
i am posting the article for it's educational value
and not to push all my peeps buy the product...
do what you think is good in your own eyes...

Got Mold?

Harvard and John Hopkins Universites have done studies, the conclusions… 50% of buildings, old and new, have mold. Resulting in a 50-100% increase in respiratory problems.The Mayo Clinic says – 1 in 7 Americans suffers from acute fungal sinustis, resulting from exposure to mold.

Read Mold remedy FAQ’s.

Effect of a Diffused Essential Oil Blend on Bacterial Bioaerosols

Author: S. C. Chao, D. G. Young, and C. J. Oberg
Journal: Journal of Essential Oil Research 10, 517523 (Sept/Oct 1998)
Location: Weber State University, Ogden, UT

Abstract: A proprietary blend of oils containing cinnamon, rosemary, clove, eucalyptus, and lemon was tested for its antibacterial activity against airborne Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.

The bacteria cultures were sprayed in an enclosed area, and Thieves was diffused for a given amount of time. There was an 82% reduction in M. luteus bioaerosol, a 96% reduction in the P. aeruginosa bioaerosol, and a 44% reduction in the S. aureus bioaerosol following 10 minutes of exposure.

Conclusion: Diffusion of the oil blend, Thieves, can significantly reduce the number of aerosol-borne bacteria.

Eliminate Mold and Keep it from coming back with Thieves essential oil and Thieves Household Cleaner

Click here to get my free Mold Remedy Booklet!

How much should I order to get started?

1 Bottle of the Thieves Oil Blend -15 ml
1 Thieves Household Cleaner
1 Cold Air Diffuser

These items are sufficient for about 1,000 square feet of space

Buy the Thieves products and a diffuser

Note: Requirements may vary depending on the level of the mold infestation, as well as the size and layout of the rooms.

The Black Plague and the Story of Thieves

As the bubonic plague decimated Europe in the year 1413, four thieves were captured and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims. When the thieves were tried, the magistrate offered leniency if they would reveal how they resisted contracting the infection as they performed their gruesome acts. They explained that they were perfumers and spice traders and told of a special concoction of aromatic herbs, including cloves and rosemary, that they rubbed on their hands, ears, and temples.

Thus, the proprietary Thieves essential oil blend was created based on research of the concoction used by the thieves of the 15th century.

Studies and Research

In 1997, studies conducted at Weber State University showed the Thieves essential oil blend to have a 99.96% success rate against airborne bacteria. The bacteria cultures were sprayed in an enclosed area, the Thieves oil blend was diffused for a given amount of time (this can be duplicated in the home using a cold-air diffuser).

Research conducted at Weber State University and Brigham Young University by D. Gary Young indicates that most viruses, fungi, and bacteria cannot live in the presence of most essential oils, especially those high in phenols, carvacrol, thymol, and terpenes.

(Black Mold on sheetrock)

This chart shows the effectiveness after using – a Hosiptal Disinfectant, a Fungicide, and Bleach (far left). The center shows the results after diffusing Thieves essential oil for 24 hours. On the far right are the results 2 weeks after the initial diffusing of Thieves essential oil (even though the Thieves was only diffused once for 24 hours, it kept killing the molds – Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium).

If you would like more information please see

Toxic Mold FAQ’s or contact me.

Manage Bacteria, Mold & Viruses – The Battle Against Harmful Germs

The Thieves product line provides a full-spectrum force to fight enemy combatants on all fronts without harsh chemicals and medicines. Whether in the air, on surroundings, or inside or outside the body, Thieves products provide powerful antiseptic action with substances NOT toxic humans or the environment.

Many studies have shown that certain essential oils are often more effective against germs than harsh chemicals and drugs. This sample listing demonstrates how the use of Thieves products offer practical and flexible approaches to manage bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Essential Oil of Lemon

According to Jean Valnet, MD, the vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococcus bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours, and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Even a 0.2% solution of lemon oil can kill diphtheria bacteria in 20 minutes and inactivate tuberculosis. Essential Oils Desk Reference, 3rd Ed, p63

The proprietary therapeutic-grade essential oil blend in Thieves consists of: Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Rosemary.

Science on the effects of Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils in Thieves:

Clove

Effective Against: bacteria
Actinomyces viscosus

Compounds from Syzygium aromaticum inhibit growth of oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia.

Cinnamon

Effective Against:fungi

Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus nidulans
Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus parasiticus

Vapors of cinnamon bark oil prove to be a potent fungitoxicant against fungi which cause respiratory tract mycoses: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida pseudotropicalis, and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Click here to see what else Cinnamon is good for.

Cinnamon bark oil, a potent fungitoxicant against fungi causing respiratory tract mycoses.
Singh HB, Srivastava M, Singh AB, Srivastava AK.
Centre for Biochemical Technology, Delhi, India.

Abstract Summary:
1: Allergy. 1995 Dec;50(12):995-9.

Cinnamic aldehyde has been identified as the active fungitoxic constituent of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil. The fungitoxic properties of the vapours of the oil/active constituent against fungi involved in respiratory tract mycoses, i.e., Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans A. flavus, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, and Histoplasma capsulatum, were determined in vitro as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum lethal concentration (MLC), inoculum density sustained, and exposure duration for fungicidal action at MIC and higher doses, as well as effect of incubation temperatures on fungitoxicity. It is concluded that these inhalable vapours appear to approach the ideal chemotherapy for respiratory tract mycoses. Publication Types: Comparative Study PMID: 8834832 [PubMed.gov - indexed for MEDLINE]

Cinnamon oil caused inhibition of growth and aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus.
Abstract Summary:
1: J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 1994;13(1):67–72
Inhibition of growth and aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus by essential oils of selected plant materials.
Tantaoui-Elaraki A, Beraoud L. Department of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Hassan II Institute for Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Rabat-Instituts, Morocco.

We studied the effect of 13 chemically different essential oils (EO) on the mycelial growth of and aflatoxin synthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus. Cinnamon, thyme, oregano, and cumin EO were able to stop mycelial growth at only 0.1% in the medium, while curcumin, ginger, lemon, and orange EO were unable to inhibit totally the growth even at 1% concentration. Coriander, black pepper, mugwort, bay, and rosemary EO caused the growth to stop at concentrations between 0.2 and 1%. The EO most active upon mycelial growth were also the most active against aflatoxinogenesis. However, aflatoxin synthesis was inhibited by all the EO at higher extent than the mycelial growth. Publication Types: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t PMID: 7823297 [PubMed.gov - indexed for MEDLINE]

Cinnamon essential oil caused inhibition of growth and aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus.

Candida albicans
Candida tropicalis
Candida kefyr

Vapors of cinnamon bark essential oil prove to be a potent fungitoxicant against fungi which cause respiratory tract mycoses: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida pseudotropicalis (Candida kefyr), and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Abstract Summary:
Allergy. 1995 Dec;50(12):995-9. Related Articles, Links
Cinnamon bark oil, a potent fungitoxicant against fungi causing respiratory tract mycoses. Singh HB, Srivastava M, Singh AB, Srivastava AK. Centre for Biochemical Technology, Delhi, India.

Cinnamic aldehyde has been identified as the active fungitoxic constituent of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil. The fungitoxic properties of the vapours of the oil/active constituent against fungi involved in respiratory tract mycoses, i.e., Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans A. flavus, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, and Histoplasma capsulatum, were determined in vitro as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum lethal concentration (MLC), inoculum density sustained, and exposure duration for fungicidal action at MIC and higher doses, as well as effect of incubation temperatures on fungitoxicity. It is concluded that these inhalable vapours appear to approach the ideal chemotherapy for respiratory tract mycoses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

following are some of the uses & proportions to give you an idea:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FOR THE ALL-NATURAL HOME: THIEVES HOUSEHOLD CLEANER AND STAY WITHIN YOUR BUDGET

One capful = 1/2 TBSP Thieves Household Cleaner costs 37 cents per capful wholesale. Thieves Booklet

LIGHT DEGREASING 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 3 3/4 cups water MEDIUM DEGREASING 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 2 cups water HEAVY DEGREASING 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 1 cups water

SUPER HAND CLEANER 1/2 cup Thieves Household Cleaner 1/2 cup water FLOORS 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 6+ cups water WALLS 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 2 cups water

DISHWASHER 1 capful Thieves Cleaner in dishwasher soap dispenser POTS + PANS 1/2 capful Thieves Cleaner 3+ cups water LAUNDRY WASHER 1-2 capfuls per load- no need to use detergent, bleach or fabric softener

CARPET CLEANER 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 6 1/4 cups water GLASS + WINDOWS 1 capful Thieves Cleaner 5 quarts water

Internal use tips
Try these simple suggestions to incorporate Thieves
in the body for extra protection.
+ Add 2–3 drops of Thieves into a capsule and take daily.
+ Add 1–2 drops into a spoonful of Agave.
+ Put 1–2 drops onto a piece of bread.
+ Add 1–2 drops to a glass of rice or almond milk.
+ Drop 1–2 drops directly onto your tongue.

Special Antibiotic Formula: In a OO capsule combine 10-12 drops of Thieves Essential Oil Blend with 6-8 drops of Oregano, and 2 drops of Frankincense.

Thieves Household Cleaner Proportion Guide

One capful of Thieves Cleaner = 1 tsp. Best if used with purified water (do not use water that contains chlorine).

The GOAL is a Chemical Free Environment

A. All purpose Thieves Cleaner in a spray bottle: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 1 qt water

B. Light Degreasing: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 3 cups of water

C. Medium Degreasing: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 2 cups water

D. Heavy Degreasing: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 1 cup water

E. Window and glass cleaner: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 5 quarts water or 1/4 teaspoon to a quart of water for spray bottles

F. Hand cleaner: capful Thieves Cleaner to 1/2 cup water

G. Dishwasher: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner

H. Pot and Pans: 1 capful of Thieves Cleaner to 3 cups water

I. Floors: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 6 cups water

J. Walls: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to a little less than 2 cups water

K. Fabrics: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 2 cups water

L. Laundry: Depending on size of washer, use 1 to 2 capfuls of Thieves Cleaner

M. Carpet: 1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 6 + cups water

101 uses

1. Dilute with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex and apply to cuts or open wounds to prevent infection and promote healing.

2. Mix with a tablespoon of water, gargle and swallow for a sore throat.

3. Apply undiluted directly to the skin of your upper chest and throat for bronchitis.

4. Place a drop on your thumb and apply to the roof of your mouth for a headache.

5. Put 10-12 drops in a size OO capsule undiluted and swallow daily for longevity.

6. For acne, take internally and apply to the skin diluted with Young Living’s V-6 carrier oil.

7. Put directly on the soles of your feet to protect you from colds and flu.

8. Breathe in the vapors when you have lung congestion.

9. Use to clean pet cages, creating a healthier environment for them.

10. Add to your dishwasher for cleaner dishes.

11. Add to your laundry cycle for cleaner clothes.

12. Add to your mop water for cleaner floors.

13. Mix with water to make a spray to repel insects on your flowers and plants.

14. Use to dissolve the gummy adhesive on price labels.

15. Apply to bee and wasp stings to neutralize the toxin and relieve the pain.

16. Apply to gums to prevent and treat gum disease.

17. Apply orally to maintain healthy teeth and reduce cavities.

18. Apply to gums and teeth for pain relief from toothaches.

19. Diffuse in homes or business to solve mold problems.

20. Add to orange juice and drink to reduce phlegm and congestion.

21. Apply to broken bones or joints for pain relief and to hasten healing.

22. Put a drop in your cup of tea for flavor and to maintain health.

23. Put on the tip of your tongue to help you stop smoking.

24. Put on cold sores and canker sores to make them disappear.

25. For warts, apply topically, inhale and ingest in capsules to make them disappear.

26. Rub on sore joints to relieve arthritis pain.

27. Drink a few drops in water or juice every three hours to stop a cold.

28. Place a drop on the tongue and a drop in a glass of water every day for herpes.

29. Rub on the bottoms of children’s feet for protection before school every day.

30. Diffuse in the house as your children come home from school every day to kill airborne bacteria.

31. Mix 50:50 with V6 vegetable oil and rub on daily for relief of shingles.

32. Apply a drop on wound of a cat or dog to enhance healing.

33. Diffuse in the home or office to stimulate a cheerful mood.

34. Diffuse in the office to increase concentration and work efficiency.

35. Diffuse in your place of business to ward off germs.

36. Diffuse in the classroom to reduce student sickness and absenteeism.

37. Put a few drops in your carpet steamer/cleaner to disinfect carpet.

38. Mix a few drops with honey or agave in a teaspoon for cough relief.

39. Breathe and apply for sinus headaches.

40. Put a drop on a pimple to make it shrink and disappear.

41. For laryngitis put a drop under your tongue to restore your voice.

42. Inhale for relief of allergy symptoms.

43. Take a capsule full every day for relief of Lyme disease symptoms.

44. Carry a bottle on every flight to protect you from germs on the plane.

45. Drop in the heat/AC vents of a hotel to rid it of airborne germs.

46. Mix with baking soda to clean bathtubs.

47. Apply undiluted to the toes and feet to combat fungus.

48. Apply to poison ivy rashes (may need to be diluted with vegetable oil) to relieve the itch.

49. Drop Thieves Oil Blend on a cloth to remove permanent marker stains.

50. Sanitize pierced earrings by cleaning with Thieves Oil Blend.

51. Rub on the big toe before retiring to help with proper vision.

52. Applying Thieves Oil Blend, diluted 1 drop oil to 5 drops V-6 Mixing Oil, may be helpful in soothing pinkeye

and other eye inflammations. (Do not get in the eye.)

53. Apply 1 drop of Thieves Oil Blend onto toothbrush to sanitize.

54. Use for bathrooms and toilets to sanitize and freshen.

55. Use to cut grease on kitchen counters and stovetops.

56. Use to mop floors to clean and disinfect.

57. Apply to hands to remove stubborn, sticky substances like tree sap.

58. Use to wash fruits and vegetables from the supermarket.

59. Add to the water in your vacuum cleaner/steamer to cleanse the air and disinfect the carpet.

60. Spray along ant trails in the house to keep them out.

61. Use to wipe chairs and furniture in school classrooms to cut down on student sickness.

62. Scrub old floors to remove old varnish and prepare for refinishing.

63. Clean upholstery.

64. Clean the upholstery and dashboard of your car.

65. Soak off burnt food in pots and skillets.

66. Wipe or soak garbage cans to get them clean, sanitary and smelling fresh.

67. For tough stains, pour it on as a pre-wash stain remover.

68. Use undiluted to clean and kill mold on walls and floors or degrease oven.

MOLD SOLUTION

Diffuse the Thieves Oil Blend continuously for 24 hours in the room

containing mold. Determining the length of diffusion time is directly

related to the severity of mold. Clean visible mold with Thieves Household Cleaner.

TO PREVENT MOLD

a) Diffuse Thieves essential oil

b) Eliminate leaks and moisture.

c) Clean thoroughly using Thieves Household Cleaner

USES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THIEVES LOZENGES

69. Take with the first sniffle and signs of a cold or sore throat to ward it off.

70. Take prior to singing performances to keep the voice strong and to hit the high notes.

71. Use to hasten the healing when a cold or flu has been contracted.

72. Suck on one as you enter an airplane to protect you from germs onboard.

USES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THIEVES MOUTHWASH

73. Rinse daily for clean breath and to keep teeth and gums healthy.

74. Gargle (and swallow) before a singing engagement to clear mucus.

74-a. Put 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in water pic.

USES FOR THIEVES WATERLESS HAND PURIFIER

75. Use as a healthy alternative to soap and water to sanitize hands.

76. Rub on hands to make them soft, fresh and smooth.

77. Apply to face to clear acne.

USES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THIEVES BAR SOAP

78. Rub on stains as a pre-wash stain remover.

79. Use as a deodorant or antibacterial hand soap.

USES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THIEVES SPRAY

80. Spray on doorknobs in public restrooms to kill germs.

81. Spray in the throat to restore a lost voice.

82. Spray hands before and after shaking hands with a lot of people.

83. Spray in restrooms on airplanes to reduce airborne bacteria.

84. Spray on vegetables and fruits when washing them.

85. Carry for protection in countries with cholera, malaria or dysentery.

86. Use as an air freshener for cooking odors or other unwanted smells.

87. Take to the gym and spray all the equipment you use.

88. Take to the supermarket and use to disinfect shopping cart handles.

89. Use in the classroom for desks, tables and other items handled by children.

90. Spray in your mouth and throat at first onset of cold or bronchitis.

91. Spray on shower stalls and bathroom walls to kill and remove mold.

USES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THIEVES TOOTHPASTE

92. Brush every day to prevent cavities and gum disease.

93. Use when teeth have been damaged or broken to help them heal.

94. Use to prevent or heal gum disease.

95. Apply as an underarm deodorant.

USES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL THIEVES WIPES

96. Wipe doorknobs and other things touched by the public.

97. Wipe dirty piano keys to clean and disinfect.

98. Use to clean children’s hands when traveling.

99. Use on the steering wheel and gearshift of your vehicle.

100. Use on public telephones to remove germs.

101. Use on public computer keyboards and mice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

boy oh boy, do i feel clean after reading all that!!! ;)

here's how i make my
own antibacterial/microbial wipes...

SUPER-WET-ONES

1/2 cup grain alcohol (vodka)
10 drops 4 thieves oils
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon glycerin

paper towels

take folds of soft paper towels & lay side by side in a shallow dish.
combine all wet ingredients in a glass bowl mix well.
pour mixture over paper towels and press to saturate.
stack the wet paper towels in a clean airtight container
and cover. repeat with more towels until the liquid is all used up.
any extra liquid can be kept in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

to use, i put some moist towelettes into a ziplox baggie and put in my
purse, car, or anywhere i'd like to have ....
the power of SUPER-WET-ONES!!


so with herbals in the air and a song in my heart
i sally forth to meet the day with a smile
have a great one!
xoxo
snowdrop

labor day weekend

well on my way to recovery, the 4 thieves oil has my home
smelling fresh and clean, sparkling and bright.
i have not only spritzed & wiped every conceivable surface,
but i have added some to my floor wash bucket
water vacuum basin, and my freshly made laundry soap.
all the clothes, sheets, blankets and towels are now clean washed.
i am feeling much better- and my dh shows no signs of succumbing
sigh of relief. whew!

so today i went to the garden (sad state it is) and took down the
poor tomatoes that have the blight, the blight that has struck
every tomato in the county. you can hear the weeping in my words-
oh the utter sadness.
i wanted to dry as many tomatoes as possible for the winter usage.
perhaps i can find some at the farmers market yet.
my own, no.

i brought in a large basket filled with oregano, enough for a winter and beyond.
and that's saying alot with an italian husband who doesn't consider it a meal
without tomatoes (cringe) basil and oregano. i am getting ready to tie
bundles of the oregano on stem to hang prettily in my kitchen.
i could dehydrate them in my excalibur, but i just got an antique rack
to put in my kitchen. it was an old butchers set of hooks, (we won't think
on what once hung there) and i got this and an antique cherry pitter;
fully functional at a very very good price in blue mountain lake at
an adirondack fair, over the weekend.
we went there for our anniversary (#33) and had a delightful time.

there, my dh picked up flattened sheets of birch bark to put
on a cabinet with twig work and is right now assembling it in the yard.
i love the look of it and hope to get a finished pic for posting.

it hasn't been overly exciting this weekend, rather tame...
but you know, peace should never be underestimated.
it has been a peaceful- good weather end of the summer
and i am looking forward to some bright colors on the trees
and the crunch of a crisp fresh apple in my mouth!

take care and stay well & happy my friends-
xo
snowdrop

the 4 thieves oil at work!

of course i did not have this made up
so that it would be handy when i needed it-
i of course didn't think of it till i was in the
throes of a really really virulent bug
that hit in 1 day and laid me low quick and hard,
fevered 104 overnite, i finally
remembered i had this recipe-

FOUR THIEVES OIL

1 part eucalyptus
1 part rosemary
1 part cinnamon
1 part clove
1 part lemon

Mix with jojoba oil for the oil based product.

APPLICATIONS:

• Apply 1-2 drops of Four Thieves on the bottoms of the feet and on the nape of the neck.
• Apply under the arms and on the chest.
• Diffuse for 20 minutes or less at work or at home.


so i put about 1 T each of just the essential oils into a small glass jar
( i did have the foresight to purchase what i needed to make the
4 thieves oils when the h1n1 scare began) and shook it to mix well.
i put a good tablespoon of this mix into a spray bottle that had
1 cup apple cider vinegar cut with 1 cup water ...
shook it well and began on my disinfecting rampage.
armed with the spritz bottle and several wiping cloths i sprayed & wiped
my entire house down, especially door knobs, telephones, remote,
fridge & cabinet handles, sink & faucets, toilets tile bathroom floors
& shower stalls etc....
being that my nose was still pretty stuffy,
i did not feel i was a good candidate to decide
how good/bad it smelled.
i did catch the cinnamon undertones and not too much vinegar.
later i asked my dh if he noticed-
and he said yes and it wasn't horrible. ( :) )
& that he
liked it even.
once my sinus clears i will give you a better assessment.
but the house shines and i KNOW it is clean and disinfected.
if it keeps anyone else from catching this bug-
it will be soooo worth it.


i am storing the other little well sealed glass jar of the
essential oil mix in my dark cupboard
and only making enough spritz to use in 1 cleaning day
so it is fresh as can be and powerful.
this way i can also take a small palm full of jojoba oil
with a few drops of the essential oil mix
for massage whenever i need
to get an extra boost of this product.
or to put a drop onto a warm light bulb to diffuse.

one thing:

***KEEP THIS AWAY FROM YOUR EYES!!!!***

it really hurts.
owwwie.

so off to finish recuperating.
may none of you be needing this after the fact.

take care & be well-

xoxoxo
snowdrop

ps. that really isn't me in the pic at the top of the page :)

follow up- Four Thieves: Anti-Plague Remedy

just a quick follow up on the feedback i have gotten from the previous post.
so many people have told me they like the oil:

so i thought i would let you know the ingredients
very simply put, they use oils of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary.
it isn't cheap running around $40.00 for .5 oz
but then again how much are people paying for the
conventional things to prevent & cure illness?

glad to hear that this remedy smells good :)

so... this round of the flu went out with a whimper
but they are doomfully (is that even a word??)
predicting it will come back in the fall with a vengeance.
it can't hurt to be prepared.
xo
snowdrop

Four Thieves: Anti-Plague Remedy from the pages of history

SWINE FLU (H1N1)

what can a person do to help the odds of escaping this flu?
washing of hands isn't quite the total answer.
some have mentioned the things that help is a strong immune system
that is a given, good food- fresh air- sunshine.
what else?
here are a few articles on a vinegar that has helped situations like this in the past,
perhaps you have read of it, the tale from long ago.


Vinegar of the 4 thieves

i have complied everything i came up with in my research for this anti plague recipe that has great success...




with the onset of yet another possible pandemic, the swine flu that is gaining victims exponentially, i thought it was high time to get a batch of this vinegar going. i included all the recipes and this way you can choose the one that fits your needs the best. at the bottom of the blog you will find the links from where i found this information and of course, a disclaimer. i am not a dr,
never claimed to be one.
there.
that said
here is the info:

Epidemics, sudden outbreaks of diseases, have hit populations since humans began living in close proximity. The most infamous of the epidemics were the cyclic plagues or "Black Death" that hit during the Middle Ages starting around 1346. Looking back, we attribute the causes to Yersinia pestis, a plague which has three forms--pneumonic, septicemic, and bubonic--smallpox, influenza, gonorrhea, and tuberculosis. Estimates guess that anywhere from twenty-five to forty percent of the populations were killed with any one plague.

During the dreadful years of the Black Death, a few people found the way to survive the plague that was decimating the population. Among the more colorful of these were four thieves from Marseilles who while plundering for treasures protected themselves with garlic and a concoction of herbs extracted in vinegar. The tale is a fascinating exploration of herbal lore, but there are so many versions of the story that it is up to you to choose which to believe.

Nostradamus, 1503-1566, was a famous doctor and prophet who not only survived the plague but cured many others with what came to be known as the famous "rose petal pills." In fact, we do not know very much about the lozenges. They might have included rose hips, a rich source of natural vitamin C, as well as sawdust from green cypress, iris of Florence, cloves, odorated calamus, and perhaps some lign-aloes. Nostradamus owned a perfume manufacturing enterprise, which in his time meant distillation of plants to make essential oils. People who worked in these facilities did not succumb to the plague . . . and we are just now emerging from our skepticism in such a way as to enable us to understand what is so effective about these highly concentrated aromatic oils.

This formula is so popular in herbal circles that some people have organized "Four Thieves" parties where groups of people produce big batches of the formula during times of epidemics. There are, as one might imagine, many versions of the formula, all, of course, claimed to be authentic.

The famous French aromatherapy doctor, Jean Valnet, has two recipes in his book. He claims the original recipe was revealed by corpse robbers who were caught red-handed in the area around Toulouse in 1628-1631. His story is the more credible of the many one can find. Given the virulence and deadliness of the plague, the judges were astonished by the indifference of the thieves to contagion. Valnet quotes the archives of the Parliament of Toulouse:

During the Great Plague, four robbers were convicted of going to the houses of plague victims, strangling them in their beds and then looting their dwellings. For this, they were condemned to be burned at the stake, and in order to have their sentence mitigated, they revealed their secret preservative, after which they were hanged.

Given the source, I choose to believe the Valnet account, but there have obviously been many spins of the tale. Here is the recipe stated to be the original:
Original Recipe for Four Thieves Formula
3 pints
white wine vinegar
handful
wormwood
handful
meadowsweet
handful
juniper berries
handful
wild marjoram
handful
sage
50
cloves
2 oz.
elecampane root
2 oz.
angelica
2 oz.
rosemary
2 oz.
horehound
3 g
camphor

Dr. Valnet has a variation of his own described as an antiseptic vinegar:
Marseilles Vinegar or Four Thieves Vinegar

40 g.
greater wormwood, Artemesia absinthum
40 g.
lesser wormwood, Artemesia pontica
40 g.
rosemary
40 g.
sage
40 g.
mint
40 g.
rue
40 g.
lavender
5 g.
calamus
5 g.
cinnamon
5 g.
clove
5 g.
nutmeg
5 g.
garlic

10 g.
camphor (do not use synthetic camphor it is poison!)

40 g.
crystallized acetic acid
2500 g.
white vinegar

Instructions: steep the plants in the vinegar for 10 days. Force through a sieve. Add the camphor dissolved in the acetic acid, filter.

Valnet says this remedy, i.e., his formula is useful in the prevention of infectious diseases. He says to rub it on the face and hands and burn it in the room. It can also be kept in small bottles that are carried on the person so that the vapors can be inhaled.

Dr. John Christopher had a slightly different story and a variation of the formula that is clearly American, not French. His "Four Thieves" story is that there was a man named Richard Forthave who developed a remedy for the plague that was marketed under his name, a name which was corrupted to "Four Thieves." There might indeed have been grave robbers who used this remedy to protect themselves while they divested corpses of treasures they would no longer need. The King of France had the thieves arrested and they bought their freedom with the remedy they had been using. Thus, the remedy did not fall into obscurity and has been used for centuries since to protect against contagion.

Dr. John Christopher Plague Formula
8 parts
apple cider vinegar
5 parts
glycerine U.S.P.
5 parts
honey
2 parts
garlic juice, fresh
2 parts
comfrey root concentrate*
1 part
wormwood concentrate
1 part
lobelia leaf and/or seed concentrate
1 part
marshmallow root concentrate
1 part
oak bark concentrate
1 part
black walnut bark concentrate
1 part
mullein leaf concentrate
1 part
skullcap leaf concentrate
1 part
uva ursi, hydrangea, or gravel root concentrate

Mix the ingredients well!

*Due to new restrictions on comfrey for internal use, it is suggested that slippery elm be substituted for this ingredient.

How to make the concentrates:

Each concentrate should be made individually. Start by soaking the herb for four hours or more in enough distilled water to cover it completely. After soaking, add more distilled water so that the total added equals 16 oz. (.5 liter) water per 4 oz. (113 grams) herb. Use a multiple of these amounts for a larger quantity of formula. Using these amounts approximately one gallon (3.75 liters) of the formula will be produced.

After adding the appropriate amount of distilled water to the soaked herb, simmer the herb on very low heat in a covered pan or double boiler for thirty minutes. Then strain the liquid into a clean pan. Put the liquid into a double boiler or on very low heat (uncovered) and simmer (steam) it down to one fourth of the original volume (4 oz. 1256 ml). Only after all ingredients have been prepared should the liquids be mixed.

Do not use aluminum, Teflon, or cracked porcelain. Glass, corning ware or stainless steel or whole porcelain are best.

Dosage: 1 tsp. 3 times a day; or 1 tablespoon every 1/2 hour if infected.

Here is another version, much simpler to make, offered by one of my colleagues, Karen Vaughn, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist.
1 pint
unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
5 drops
rosemary oil
5 drops
oregano oil
5 drops
lavender oil
5 drops
sage oil
5 drops
peppermint oil
5 drops
clove oil
4 drops
lemon oil
3 drops
black pepper oil
1 drop
capsicum oil
1 head
garlic finely diced
3 oz
ginger finely sliced
4 oz
echinacea tincture

Warning: Be sure to use unadulterated, therapeutic grade essential oils.


Rosemary, being a strong antiseptic, was one of the choice herbs. Wormwood and rue are the bitterest of herbs. Both are antiseptics and vermifuges (kill worms.) Wormwood has been used internally but can cause convulsions. Lavender and peppermint are high in volatile oils, hence excellent ingredients for a very good insect repellent, as well as being pleasant smelling. Sage, among other good things, is a lymphatic, which is an important fact to remember in case of a bubonic-type disease outbreak. Of course, garlic, as the king of herbs, is a wonder drug. Within its paper-thin wrapping is found a host of beneficial properties, far too many to list. But it does have specific properties that are antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibiotic and, antifungal—chemicals that kill parasites. If I were ever lost in a sick, hostile world, I would not take medicine; I would take garlic. Always keep a sack in your kitchen, and go to the library to learn how to use it.

The Vinegar of the Four Thieves is a super-strong insect repellent. It should be diluted with water to half strength if you spray it directly on your skin. This repellent can be used many ways. Splashed on your socks or shoes will discourage ticks, chiggers, and mites. An herbal cloth kept in your pocket and rubbed on your skin every hour or so would be very beneficial during outdoor work or recreation. Or, a nightly bath with a little herbal vinegar and oil will keep it on your skin for many hours and could prove helpful for families who live in the country or while out on camping trips.

Vinegar of the 4 Thieves

2 quarts of apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons lavender

2 tablespoons rosemary

2 tablespoons sage

2 tablespoons wormwood

2 tablespoons rue

2 tablespoons mint

2 tablespoons fresh, chopped garlic

Combine dried herbs (except garlic) and vinegar in a one-gallon jar with lid, and soak in the sun for 2 weeks, shaking often. Then strain out the used herbs, and retain the herbal liquid mixture. Add several cloves of crushed garlic, and close lid. Let soak for three days, and strain out the garlic fiber and discard. This liquid tincture needs to be stored in a cool place, like the refrigerator, or it can be preserved by canning. Fill canning jar with boiling liquid tincture to within one-half inch of top. Cap with rubber seal canning lid, tighten ring, and turn hot jar upside down; leave it undisturbed until it cools to room temperature. This will cause the jar to seal. Don’t forget to date and label it.

Four Thieves Vinegar: Antiviral, Germicide and Possible Alternative for Flu Shots

According to herbalist Elizabeth Kastner, "During the height of the plague in France in 1721, it was discovered that the homes of disease victims were being ransacked. At first, no effort was made to find the criminals, since all knew they were fools, soon to die of the plague.

"As time went on, it became apparent that the thieves were continuing in their raids... and quite inexplicably, avoiding falling victim to the disease. Soon, they became highly sought -- not due to their crimes, but in an effort to learn their secret.

"When they were finally captured, they refused to speak until a bargain was offered: remain silent and hang. Divulge the secret to their resistance to the deadly plague and walk away.

"It seems that the mother of several of the boys was a midwife and had a recipe which used plants which were easily wildcrafted... yet, she knew that this would change immediately if anyone learned the formula, so she swore her children to secrecy. Her sons saved their necks and shared the recipe for the disinfectant, which is still used in France to this day."

Given the simple ingredients of Four Thieves Vinegar and with all the yammering about smallpox, bioterrorism diseases, and flu vaccine shortages in the news these days, it seems prudent to me to prepare a home stock of this historical preventative for dread diseases. According to Kastner, the traditional recipe for Four Thieves Vinegar "makes a lot of sense, medicinally speaking."

You can make your own "Four Thieves Vinegar" by following the simple recipe below.

Use equal parts of the following herbs:

* Lavender
* Sage
* Thyme
* Melissa (lemon balm)
* Hyssop
* Peppermint
* A handful of garlic cloves

Blend ingredients in a glass jar and cover completely with organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, which is available in most health food stores. Cold infuse (let sit at room temperature in a cool place) for six weeks and then strain off herbs and garlic.

You can take Four Thieves Vinegar by the teaspoonful, use it as a salad dressing, or even add a spoonful to your bath water for personal protection. Four Thieves Vinegar and warmed organic coconut oil make an excellent salad dressing.

You can also use it as a topical spray to disinfect surfaces -- including skin -- and/or you can take it as a tincture. All of the ingredients in Four Thieves Vinegar are either potent antibacterials or antivirals!

Four Thieves Vinegar

In my explorations of the history and uses of lavender, I came across some interesting information about Four Thieves Vinegar. I'd heard of it before, but didn't know what it meant:

The Legend of Four Thieves Vinegar

One version goes that in the 1630's, when the plague was raging in France, the town of Toulouse was beset with looters. Four looters were apprehended, but rather than punish them, the judge offered them a deal. Amazed at their continued health after wandering though homes and businesses abandoned by their terrified (or dead) owners, the judge offered to let the thieves go if they gave him the secret of their resistance to the plague.

What was their famous secret? It was a vinegar made from thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender. This infusion was termed thieves vinegar. Although garlic was added to the mixture later, this basic infusion became famous, and was used for hundreds of years, both internally and externally, to provide protection from the dreaded plague.

How to make Four Thieves Vinegar

There are a number of recipes available for four thieves vinegar, but the original was probably something like this:

Use equal parts thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender. Place herbs in a jar and cover with (apple cider) vinegar. Seal and place in a cool, dark place for six weeks. Strain into a spray bottle or clean jar and use as a disinfectant.

The original herbal ingredients are all strong antibacterial agents, as is the vinegar.

Variations on the recipe add sweet smelling herbs like mint and lemon balm to the mixture. Garlic was also added, and although it was probably an excellent addition from an antibacterial standpoint, it was not one of the original herbs used.

NOTE: the four thieves originally used vinegared red wine, not apple cider vinegar.

Natural antiseptics can be made at home instead of buying commercial disinfectants that we are now finding out may cause drug resistance.

During the time of the Black Plague a family of perfumers robbed the dead. As perfumers they knew well the antiseptic essential oils, and they infused them in vinegar and rubbed them on their bodies; by doing so they protected themselves from certain death. The doctors of the time used the same herbs and essential oils to to protect themselves while tending so many who were contagious. They wore big cloaks over their heads that reached down well below their shoulders. Attached to the cloak over the nose and mouth was a 10” long canoe-like shaped beak full of antiseptic herbs and essential oils. Here is the famous Vinegar of The Four Thieves recipe; it is sometimes called Grave Robber’s Blend.

Place a small handful each of dried lavender, rosemary, sage, rue and mint in a large jar, and cover completely with organic apple cider vinegar. Cover tightly and set for six weeks. Strain into a spray bottle. Whereas no home can be made to be sterile, spray the powerfully antiseptic Vinegar of Four Thieves recipe in areas of concern, such as on cutting boards and door knobs, always making sure to avoid your eyes.

I made this and think it works well. Used it for wiping down faucets and handles during a 24hr stomach issue in the house. You do have to wipe it up becasue it is not clear. I suggest purchasing fresh herb plants over time, so you can avoid running all over town looking for the herbs. I think I spent $7 total for a quart. (Or course, i get the added bonus of watching the butterfly larve enjoy the rue plant- Monarchs!)

Four Thieves Vinegar

2 QT Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbls Lavender
2 Tbls Rosemary
2 Tbls Sage
2 Tbls Wormwood
2 Tbls Rue
2 Tbls Mint


The herbs can be fresh, powdered or whole. Please understand and make sure that you know this is absolutely not for drinking. Wormwood can kill a person. And no, I don't care to discuss the joys of absinthe. I am a huge stick in the mud. :-)

Put the herbs in the vinegar. Shake well. Let is sit in the sun for two weeks.

Open. Drop in six cloves of garlic. Cap it. Shake well. Let sit in sun for one week.

Strain. Pour into bottles or jar. Seal with wax or add glycerin to preserve it.

NOTE: How much glycerin would be necessary? Seems to me that the vinegar is a pretty strong preservative all on its own!

FOUR THIEVES:
Four Thieves is some nifty stuff. I am using the oil with good results to date. The Four Thieves vinegar is very good, as well.

FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR: ANTIVIRAL GERMICIDE Possible Alternative for Flu Shots

Herbal lore has it that, while the Plague was raging in France, a rash of burglaries of plague victims’ homes was discovered. No effort was made, however, to apprehend the thieves, as it was assumed that they would soon succumb to the contagion in the homes they had robbed..

The thieves carried on their crime spree for some time, and people began to wonder why they had not become ill and die. It was then that the authorities began to pursue them… to discover the secret of their immunity to the Plague.

Once the burglars had been apprehended, they struck a bargain with the authorities, that they should be set free in exchange for revealing the secret to their immunity to the Plague.

It was then that the four thieves revealed the herbal disinfectant formula that rendered them immune to the Plague.

Current theorists suggest that this formula, now called “Four Thieves Vinegar”, may offer protection against fearsome possible threats, such as the flu, smallpox, and biological weapons, which concern us today, as all of its ingredients are either strong anti-bacterial agents, or have potent anti-viral properties.

FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR

1 part lavender, dried
1 part sage, dried
1 part thyme, dried
1 part lemon balm (melissa), dried
1 part hyssop, dried
1 part peppermint, dried
1 handful garlic cloves
Raw (unpasteurized), organic apple cider vinegar

• In a glass jar, place all dry ingredients.
• Add raw (unpasteurized), organic apple cider vinegar to cover
• Place jar in a cool place and let sit, at room temperature, for six weeks.
• Strain off herbs and garlic, and decant to a glass bottle or jar with a tight fitting lid.

HOW TO USE FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR
• Take a teaspoonful several times daily.
• Add to salads either directly or in a salad dressing.
• For personal protection, add a teaspoonful to bath water.
• Use as a topical spray for disinfecting surfaces and/or skin

ALTERNATIVE FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR
wormwood
meadowsweet
juniper berries
rosemary
camphor
sage
cinnamon
cloves
white wine vinegar

FOUR THIEVES OIL
1 part eucalyptus
1 part rosemary
1 part cinnamon
1 part clove
1 part lemon
Carrier oil (olive, jojoba, or your choice)
Mix

I put 50 drops of each oil in a 2 oz. bottle and then top it off with jojoba oil (I like jojoba oil because it seems to never go rancid).

An alternative recipe:

200 drops Clove Bud Oil
175 drops Lemon Oil
100 drops Cinnamon Oil
75 drops Eucalyptus Oil
50 drops Rosemary

Mix with jojoba oil.

APPLICATIONS:

• Apply 1-2 drops of Four Thieves on the bottoms of the feet and on the nape of the neck.
• Apply under the arms and on the chest.
• Diffuse for 20 minutes or less at work or at home.

A PERSONAL NOTE:

(the writer) I have used Four Thieves for the itch that accompanied a nasty rash that doctors could not diagnose (where is House when you need him?)… I originally applied the Four Thieves oil because I was worried about possible infection after scratching myself bloody in my sleep. The Four Thieves smarted quite a bit when I first applied it, but, then, miraculously, the itch subsided and allowed me to have a life. Although the rash did not disappear, it did diminish markedly every time I applied the oil.

some of my sources for this blog post:
http://prettysmartnaturalideas.wordpress.com/2007/12/11/four-thieves-vinegar-oil-recipes/
www.care2.com/greenliving/vinegar-of-the-four-thieves.html
www.theherbgardener.blogspot.com/2008/01/four-thieves-vinegar.htm
www.advance-health.com/fourthievesvinegar.htm
http://www.kitchendoctor.com/articles/four_thieves.html
http://www.killerplants.com/whats-in-a-name/20030718.asp

once i make and begin to use this i will update you on my review of the product from my own personal experience. until then, if any of you have already had some experience with it please feel free to share with us in the comments section below.
thank you :)
stay well!!!

snowdrop




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