Info: Available in Two Types
"Marseille's Remedy" is a more pleasant name for a time-tested and now also scientifically verified blend of essential oils with strong antibacterial activity. Commonly called Thieves' Oil, this blend reportedly originated in France during the Middle Ages, when a group of out of work perfume and spice merchants became grave robbers and managed to avoid contracting the Bubonic Plague by spreading this mixture over their face scarves and exposed skin. It can be used in several ways, and is available both as a concentrated solution and as a topical balm.
Info: Available in Two Types
"Marseille's Remedy" is a more pleasant name for a time-tested and now also scientifically verified blend of essential oils with strong antibacterial activity. Commonly called Thieves' Oil, this blend reportedly originated in France during the Middle Ages, when a group of out of work perfume and spice merchants became grave robbers and managed to avoid contracting the Bubonic Plague by spreading this mixture over their face scarves and exposed skin. It can be used in several ways, and is available both as a concentrated solution and as a topical balm.
Product Notes:
Sometime called Thieves' Blend or Bandit's Blend, Marseille's Remedy can either be used to the clear the air (literally) of various types of pathogens and to help stave off various types of respiratory infections with its vapors when emitted by an aromatherapy diffuser.
It can also help clear the skin of various types of inflammations (such as acne or boils) or infections when used in a diluted form (whether in the pre-diluted balm or as part of a solution or do-it-yourself personal care product).
Thieves' Oil is also traditionally used to help relieve various aches and pains, including digestive discomforts; or even as a surface cleaner.
Marseille's Remedy Ingredients:
Thieves' Oil Ingredients
Syzygium aromaticum (Clove bud oil* – India), Citrus limon (Lemon oil* – Italy), Cinnamomum verum (True Cinnamon bark oil* – Sri Lanka), Eucalyptus polybractea (Blue Mallee Eucalyptus oil* – Australia), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary oil* – Spain).
Thieves' Balm Ingredients
Medicinal ingredients: Syzygium aromaticum (Clove bud oil* – India), Citrus limon (Lemon* oil – Italy), Cinnamomum verum (True Cinnamon bark oil* – Sri Lanka), Eucalyptus polybractea (Blue Mallee Eucalyptus oil* – Australia), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary oil* – Spain), Arnica montana (Arnica oil* – Canada), Mentha (natural Menthol – India), Cinnamomum camphora (natural Camphor – Taiwan)
Non-medicinal ingredients: Cera alba (Canadian Beeswax) base.
* Organic ingredient.
Wild Creek Naturals Marseille's Remedy - Both products are alcohol-free and have no added chemicals.
Suggested Usage:
Thieves' Oil
To help fight sickness and clear the air of pathogens, use perhaps five to ten drops in an aromatherapy diffuser or nebulizer as you would with other essential oils, and breathe some of the vapors.
To relieve inflammation and fight infections on such things as acne and boils, place a very small amount on a cotton swab and dab it onto the area. Otherwise, to use the Thieve's Oil as a topical, it is also recommended that you dilute with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil. Start by mixing one drop of Marseille's Traditional Oil with ten drops of carrier oil, then adjust to preference.
To clean and remediate mold on regular surfaces, mix with soapy water. And to fight dry rot and eliminate mold on wood surfaces, mix it with a carrier oil rather than soapy water. Please see the accompanying video for a number of other suggestions for ways to incorporate this blend into these four DIY items:
1) a handmade melt and pour oatmeal soap bars;
2) rose and lavender bath salts; a beautiful sugar scrub;
3) an easy all-purpose, natural cleaning spray;
4) a simmer pot blend with lavender and rosemary.
The manufacturer also makes reference to other applications including use in Tooth Paste and DIY hand sanitizer.
Thieves' Balm
Rub on bruises, bug bites, swollen joints, behind the ears, or on your chest, sore muscles, back, or neck, as needed. Use in moderation: just apply a thin coat to the affected area up to 3 or 4 times per day, and rub or massage it into the skin until the solution vanishes.
To help relieve a cough or cold, rub some on your chest and inhale some of the vapors emanating from there occasionally, up to three times a day.
Perform a skin test before a topical application of either type. If irritation occurs, wash with soapy water and dilute before further application (with either soapy water or a carrier oil such as olive oil or grape seed oil that you know you're not allergic to). If irritation persists, discontinue use.
Warnings:
Keep out of reach of children. For external use only. Avoid use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, due to the Rosemary content. Avoid contact with eyes, membranes, and sensitive areas.
Health Canada Natural Product Numbers: 80063203, 80080489 for Marseille's Remedy Oil and 80070558 for Marseille's Remedy Balm.
Supporting Science:
Siejak, Przemysław et al. “Multidisciplinary Studies of Folk Medicine "Five Thieves' Oil" (Olejek Pięciu Złodziei) Components.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2021.
Xiao, Shuzhen et al. “Identification of essential oils with activity against stationary phase Staphylococcus aureus.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2020.
Xiao, Shuzhen et al. “Identification of essential oils with strong activity against stationary phase uropathogenic Escherichia coli.” Discovery Medicine, 2019.
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