Protective or thieves mixture to prevent and combat viruses and bacteria

Super protective blend to keep viruses and bacteria at bay

We are going through an exceptional moment in time, in which protecting our health and, above all, our immune system, as well as that of our family is essential. And where home hygiene is crucial to survive and face this test in the best way.

While some people are waiting for the vaccine or the antidote against Covid-19, I prefer, and propose, to empower ourselves with our health with the help, this time, of essential oils and specifically, with the protective and immunological mixture.

You may recognize this type of blend by its reference to “ thieves ” or “ On Guard ,” and in fact, it is with these names that they wish to transmit vigor, strength and courage to our brain and resistance to our body in order to best combat viruses, bacteria, fungi and all types of toxins with which we might come into contact.

The story behind the protective mixture

In France during the 15th century, thieves would sneak into cemeteries to steal from the dead and dying. Legend has it that they protected themselves by creating a special aromatic blend of cloves, rosemary and other botanicals.

Today, modern blends are made with essential oils, which enhance the original blend to about 20 times the concentration it once had, when it was made only with plants and possibly in the form of an infusion.

Both On Guard and Thieves blends, two companies whose products are classified as Grade A therapeutic essential oils of the highest purity, are inspired by these stories.

If you do not have the oils, you can prepare your protective mixture based on the original

History, and it is not legend, tells that during the plague that swept through Europe, doctors and nurses wore long black gowns, pointed hats, and beak-like masks. It is said that the masks contained a combination of herbs, spices, and oils that the doctors inhaled to protect themselves from infection by the sick they treated. The long black gowns were also sprayed with the same combination of herbs, spices, and oils to provide full-body protection against the plague.

In the Paris Museum, in 1937, there hung a recipe with vinegar that certified it as an original copy of the recipe published on the walls of Marseille during the plague episode:

“Take three litres of strong white wine vinegar and add a handful of wormwood, meadowsweet, oregano and sage, 50 cloves, 60 grams of bellflower roots, 60 grams of angelica, rosemary, horehound and three portions of camphor. Bottle the ingredients for fifteen days, then sift and bottle. Use to rub your hands, ears and temples whenever you approach a plague victim.” ( source )

The modern version of this preparation can be found in the following tutorial.

However, I prefer the mixture with essential oils because they have a much higher concentration than that obtained with vinegar and thus their effectiveness. However, the preparation with vinegar is a good alternative if you do not have access to the oils.

Why it is advisable to use essential oils

Essential oils are a generic term for highly concentrated plant extracts obtained by steam distillation or cold pressing. They are used in almost any part of the plant such as seeds, flowers, leaves, stems, roots and fruits that are involved in achieving physical and psychological well-being for both humans and animals.

Currently, government health institutions do not endorse these products as medicines, because some studies have been conducted, but not enough to classify them as such. However, more and more people around the world are turning to aromatherapy to treat minor ailments that can be treated at home, such as muscle, joint and organic pain, as well as congestion, indigestion and anxiety.

Essential oils benefit us in several ways: psychological (affecting emotions), pharmacological (affecting the body's chemistry) and physiological (affecting bodily functions and processes).

The most common ways to use it are by inhalation , often with the help of a diffuser or by inhaling directly from the bottle. It is also used topically , by applying it directly to the skin, although often, if the oil is very strong and the person's skin is very sensitive, it is done with the help of a carrier oil that allows it to be diluted without irritating the skin. Ingestion is the other option, but you must be careful and follow the instructions given by your health supervisor or the suggestions provided by the company that sells the oil.

The oils are absorbed through the epidermis (in the case of topical application) and pass from the soft tissue into the bloodstream, then carried to the treatment area and finally metabolized in the liver.

Inhaling some oils has psychological effects, such as being calming. Once the molecules have been distributed through the respiratory system, part of them affects the brain. There, the aroma is identified and in some cases, it has an emotional response.

Psychological reactions to essential oils can be subjective as they affect each person differently, depending on their olfactory memory and past experiences.

Let me explain: there are scents that transport us to another time. For me, there is a special relationship with lavender because I remember that, as a child, when we lived with my great-grandmother in Barranquilla, Colombia, she would take a bath at night and then, she would perfume herself with lavender-scented talcum powder and cologne. She would prepare us for bed, pamper us for a while and when she turned off the light, that aroma would remain impregnated in the room and wherever she sat or passed her hands.

Every time I inhale this scent, I am taken back to that time: bedtime, my grandmother's touch. However, for another person, the scent of lavender may mean something else or be like any other scent. There are even people who find it too strong. You see, it is subjective.

Although the effects of certain oils can be traced back to each person's personal history, their contents have specific properties with widespread benefits. For example:

• Bergamot: skin healing and anxiety reduction
• Chamomile: flu, fever and nausea
• Clove: relief from dental and physical pain, antiviral and antifungal
• Eucalyptus: decongestant and muscle pain relief
• Frankincense: Stress reduction and mood booster
• Lavender: calming, sleep-inducing
• Lemon: purifier, cleaner, disinfectant
• Oregano: skin healing
• Mint: prevention of flu and colds, invigorating
• Rosemary: skin and hair health. Joint pain relief
• Cinnamon: antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal

What does the protective mixture contain?

Taking into account these characteristics and its history in times of epidemics, the protective mixture is created.

Young Living's Thieves blend, for example (and this is not an advertisement), is a combination of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata, and rosemary essential oils, which has a rich, spicy aroma. This formula has spread to household cleaning products as well as personal care products.

DoTerra's On Guard protective blend is designed to strengthen the immune system and is recommended for internal use (ingestion) as it also benefits cardiovascular health. It can also be used as a non-toxic ingredient to clean surfaces in the home. When inhaled through a diffuser, it helps purify the air, providing an uplifting and invigorating sensation.

On Guard blend is composed of Wild Orange Peel, Clove, Cinnamon Leaf, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Leaf, and Rosemary Flower and Leaf essential oils that exude a warm, woody, spicy, camphoraceous aroma.

Features and benefits

• Create clean and fresh environments (both internal and external).
• Includes the natural constituents trans cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon bark), limonene (lemon) and eucalyptol (Eucalyptus Radiata and rosemary).

Uses

• Add 2 or 3 drops to a vegetable capsule to produce an invigorating effect.
• Add 2 drops to your mouthwash to leave your breath clean, bacteria-free and very pleasant.
• Add a few drops to some water and use as a surface cleaner around the house.
• Soak sliced ​​apple pieces in water with a few drops of the protective mixture and enjoy as an immune-boosting snack.
• Combine a few drops of the protective blend with fractionated coconut oil or another carrier oil and use as a hand cleanser. Another way is to mix witch hazel (available at Rosas Drugstore) and the protective blend in a spray bottle and carry it in your purse. This is especially helpful when using public bathrooms that don't have paper towels, or opening a door lock. It makes a lot: add 40 drops of the blend to 60 ml of witch hazel. If more antibacterial power is required, you can even add a few drops of oregano essential oil.

How to use the protective blend of essential oils

In diffuser : use between 5-7 drops diluted in water to diffuse

Internal use: dilute one drop in half a glass of water

Topically : Apply one or two drops to the desired area. If you have sensitive skin, you can use fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil to reduce possible irritation.

Prepare your own protective mixture

You will need:

25 drops of clove essential oil

20 drops of lemon essential oil (yellow)

14 drops of cinnamon bark essential oil

10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

10 drops of rosemary essential oil

Pour the oils into a glass jar and use the blend topically, aromatically, and even as an ingredient in your non-toxic toiletries (check out how to make your own at home products here ). This 80-drop blend makes approximately 5 ml and can easily be doubled or tripled.

Buy your oil here

Precautions

• May cause slight irritation to sensitive skin.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before using the protective mixture.
• Avoid UV rays or direct sun exposure for up to 12 hours after applying the oil.
• Never apply essential oils directly to an animal's fur. Check with your veterinarian first before using essential oils on or around a pet.

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