In the world of aromatherapy, the Four Thieves is a famous tale. The year was 1413. The height of the Bubonic Plague in France. Amongst the people, it was called ‘the Black Death’. As the tales go, if one was in the mere vicinity of an infected person, you would surely catch the ill humours and death was a mercy.
In these treacherous times, four merchant men, out of work at the ports due to the Plague’s merciless spread, took up careers as robbers. Cloaked all in black with their faces masked, they would loot and rob their fellow countrymen who had caught the Plague and could do nothing to stop them. The men became infamous as they evaded the plague time and time again.
When finally caught, the presiding judge spared them death by fire in exchange for their medicinal secret. That secret, is the Four Thieves essential oil blend. They soaked their masks and rubbed their hands with the oil before robbing their deathly neighbours.
When word got out, doctors treating the victims began stuffing masks, a beak-shaped contraption, with cloth soaked in the Four Thieves oil. According to medical mythology, this turned the tide on the plaque and kept France alive. At least, that is what the tales tell.
But truth or no, the blend has various health-promoting properties and we are pleased to continue diffusing its’ purifying scent in our clinic. For months now, its’ aroma has given myself, our staff and patients a comforting, cleansing and invigorating environment.
As always, at Doctors’ Choice Naturopathic we are ever grateful for the medicine our plants provide us and the knowledge shared from other cultures and generations past. Santé!
