DIY Thieves Oil Recipe (Exact Ratios + Drops & Teaspoons)
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Looking for a simple DIY thieves oil recipe you can make at home?
This essential oil blend combines clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary in specific ratios to create a balanced, aromatic blend you can use for both your home and wellness routines.
Often referred to as a “thieves-style” blend, this combination of oils has been used for many years and is known for its bold scent and versatility.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- the exact ratios for best results
- how to make the blend using drops, teaspoons, or weight
- how to use it safely and effectively
This type of essential oil blend has been very popular for home and everyday use.
Some essential oils have been studied for their antimicrobial properties, though they should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment.
What Is Thieves Oil?
The first time I heard about “thieves oil,” it was from a friend whom I thought was saying “feeves” because of a bad phone connection.
She then told me that apparently, during the time of the Black Plague, thieves would go to places where the dead bodies were and they would steal goods off of the corpses. But to protect themselves, they would put a blend of oils or spices on themselves.
Now, I don't know if this is all true or not, but I suspect that there's some truth to it.
Once I figured out what it was, I was intrigued by the blend—and even more interested in making a DIY version to save money.
I'm always trying to DIY things like this Homemade Rice Milk, this Homemade Coconut Milk, and so much more.
So, enter this Homemade Thieves Blend.
it’s simple to make and works well for a variety of uses, and is much cheaper than buying a blend.
Thieves Oil Ingredients
- Clove essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Cinnamon bark (or leaf) essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
This combination is widely used in thieves-style blends and is known for its strong, balanced aroma.
Thieves Oil Recipe in Drops, Grams, and Teaspoons
This DIY thieves oil recipe uses a 40-30-15-10-5 ratio of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary for a balanced blend.
Drops
- Clove: 40 drops
- Lemon: 30 drops
- Cinnamon: 15 drops
- Eucalyptus: 10 drops
- Rosemary: 5 drops
Note: This method is less precise because different essential oils have different densities. Clove and cinnamon are heavier oils, so the scent may be slightly stronger when measured in drops instead of weight.
Grams
For a 10 gram blend, here's how much of each oil to use.
- Clove Bud: 4 grams
- Lemon: 3 grams
- Cinnamon Bark: 1.5 grams
- Eucalyptus: 1 gram
- Rosemary: 0.5 grams
Teaspoons
For a small batch (about 1 teaspoon total):
- Clove: about ⅜ to ½ teaspoon
- Lemon: about ¼ to ⅓ teaspoon
- Cinnamon: about ⅛ teaspoon
- Eucalyptus: about 1/16 teaspoon (a pinch)
- Rosemary: about 1/16 teaspoon (a pinch)
Because essential oils vary in density, teaspoon measurements are only approximate. For best accuracy and balance, use drops or measure by weight.
DIY Thieves Oil Recipe (Exact Ratios + Drops & Teaspoons)
Equipment
- small opaque glass bottle 10-15 ml
- dropper or reducer cap
- digital scale optional
Ingredients
- 40 drops Clove Bud Oil
- 30 drops Lemon Oil
- 15 drops Cinnamon Oil
- 10 drops Eucalyptus Oil (See Note)
- 5 drops Rosemary Oil
Instructions
- Add all essential oils to a clean amber glass bottle.
- Gently swirl or roll the bottle to combine.
- Let the blend sit for 12–24 hours for best aroma (optional).
- Use as desired (see notes below for usage and safety tips).
Notes
- This recipe is based on a formulation using percentage ratios for a balanced blend.
- Measuring by weight gives the most accurate results, but drops work well for everyday use.
- Teaspoon measurements are approximate due to differences in oil density.
- Always dilute before applying to skin, as some oils in this blend are considered “hot.”
- Not intended as medical advice.
Where This Thieves Recipe Came From
This recipe is adapted from a formulation shared by Dr. Robert Pappas, an experienced and accomplished essential oil educator. I appreciate his attention to proper ratios and safety, and I’ve converted the recipe into simple drop measurements below for ease of use.
How to Make Thieves Oil
Simply combine the essential oils above in an opaque glass container like an essential oil bottle, then swirl to mix.
How to Use this Homemade Thieves® Blend
Following are ideas that I have read about or personally used. Of course, with the medical uses, I am not a medical practitioner, nor do I pretend to be one.
Note that some of these oils in this blend are “hot” and can burn. Please dilute with a carrier oil before applying directly to the skin or using in the mouth.
- For sickness: Diffuse in the air or use topically, remembering to dilute with a carrier oil if using topically.
- House cleaning. Add this blend to your homemade or store bought cleaner of choice for extra cleaning power.
- As a mouthwash.
- Dental issues: I have occasionally swished with 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil with about 4 drops of antibacterial oils added to address dental concerns. This is very similar to coconut oil pulling, but with added oils.
- Wound Cleaning
Safety Notes
Eucalyptus Oil
Under age 3: Can be diffused or applied topically up to .5%.
Age 3-6 – Can be diffused or applied topically up to 1%.
Cinnamon and Clove Oils
These are “hot” oils and as such care should be taken when applying them topically.
There are a variety of recommendations for dilution of these oils for safety, but one recommendation is to dilute cinnamon to .07% or (rounded to) .1% max and clove to .5% max.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in thieves oil?
A traditional thieves oil blend includes clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils.
How do you make thieves oil?
Combine the essential oils in an opaque glass bottle in the proper ratios using drops or weight.
Can you apply thieves oil to skin?
Yes, but always dilute it with a carrier oil first.
Can you substitute ingredients in thieves oil?
This blend is traditionally made with five specific oils, and for best results, it’s recommended to follow the original ratios.
However, in some cases:
- Cinnamon leaf oil can be used instead of cinnamon bark for a milder option
- Eucalyptus varieties may vary slightly (globulus vs radiata)
Keep in mind that substitutions will change the aroma and overall balance of the blend.
Where to Buy Oils and Bottles to Make This Blend
Oils
Essential Oils are sold all over the place. I personally left the 2 big Direct Sales companies, and chose to buy from companies that weren't in the MLM business model.
You can read my series, “Which Essential Oils Company is Best?” here to find out more about how I chose this company plus loads of information about essential oils.
Bottles
For the bottles, you can use an old essential oil bottle like I did, or you can head over to Amazon and get an amber dropper bottle like this one there.
More Essential Oil Blends
- Breathe Blend – to help soothe coughs
- Purify Blend – for cleaning and purifying
- Adrenal Blend – for stress support
“Thieves® is a registered trademark of Young Living. This post is not affiliated with or endorsed by Young Living and is simply a DIY essential oil blend inspired by traditional combinations.”
Got a question about essential oils?
Leave it in the comments below and I'll do my best to help.
I’m new to EOs, so please forgive me if this is a silly question. When you state that the blend can be used for household cleaning, what would you mix the blend with for this purpose? Water in a spray bottle, or..? I read through the comments on this post and didn’t see any mention of how it would be used as a household cleaner. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog thus far and appreciate the time/effort you put into researching! Thanks Adrienne!
This is a recipe I found – not sure if this is the one that I used.
1/2 cup Castile soap
1 cup white vinegar
15-20 drops antibac essential oil blend
water to fill 32 oz container
You’re so welcome!
Does anyone have the ratio of the oil in Panaway or somethin similar?
At the bottom of some of my posts in this series there are books w/ information on making your own blends. Hope that helps! https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
I love essential oils! Thanks for the recipe. When I get all the oils, I will be making it.
You are so welcome. Hope you like it, Betty!
Do you provide copycat recipes for other blends? There are 2 products I buy that I would like to make myself as they are expensive to keep buying – would like to find someone that can tell me how to make them.
Hi there. I don’t have other blend recipes yet but I hope to do some soon – There are, I think, 2 resources at the bottom of my oils posts in this series that give you a bunch of recipes that should keep you busy for some time :). https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
Are there specific blends you are interested in?
The entire argument regarding the utilization of the Thieves Oil name is petty. It seems to me that the history has shown this oil was used LONG before trademarks, and even LONGER before some company decided to usurp the name and call it theirs. Get over it already.
Adrienne, I LOVE your site. Made some of this mixture this morning. Keep on keepin’ on, you rock! 🙂
Thanks so much – I really appreciate your encouragement!!! Hopefully a yummy snack post will be up today :).
totally agree
Hello Adrienne,
I really enjoyed reading your series about which essential oils’ company is the best. I am a rep of Young Living, I mean, I just started now to understand how good essential oils are and how they work, so I really appreciated people like you who have done all this researches for people like me that do not know anything but they really want to know where to find top notch oils at the best prices. And I will buy from the company you recommend, and buy from YL only products the Native American Nutritionals don’t have, like: the wolfberry juice, and the Animal Scent ointment.
I finally got to get interested in essential oils about 2 months ago when my son, who is in a wheelchair got a pressure sore on his butt, again. So I asked my friend, (who has been using oils for about 30 years) if the essentials oils would help my son’ situation. She gave me few oils to use directly into the wound. Another friend also gave me the Animal scent wich I found it good. Now I would like to know from you if I could put the Thieves blend directly into the wound or if I have to mix it with Olive oil as I don’t have the other ones you talk about in your posts. Also I have been using colloidal silver. What do you think I should use and how long or how many times at day. Could you also tell me what do you think about the Animal Scent that YL sells? I’m just curious of your opinion.
Thank you so much for all the work you do for all of us, even for the ones that have so much bad stuff to say to you ahah.
Blessings to you
Teresa
Hi Teresa. Thanks so much for your kind words! I would personally not recommend putting the Antibacterial blend directly into a would as it could really sting. I have done it but many would have issues with it. I can’t medically advise at all but I personally used the antibacterial blend about 3-5 times per day when I had a bad sinus infection.
I haven’t tried the animal scent. In fact, I can’t find it on their site – could you send me a link to it please? Thanks!
Hi Adrianne,
Thank you for answering, it’s so good that you answer everybody.
Here’s the link for the Animal Scent, I am writing from Canada but they have it on the US website only: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/home/pets/animal-scents-ointment.
Regarding my son’s wound, he doesn’t feel anything down there, So can I put it in since he has no feelings there?
Where do you apply the blend when you have a sinus infection?
Thank you
Teresa
I’m trying to find out about the Animal Scent, but as for your son’s wound, even if you don’t have feeling you can still burn the skin w/ too hot of an oil so I could err on the side of caution. For a sinus infection, I have added a drop or two of oil in w/ my saline rinse https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/how-to-make-your-own-saline-nose-wash/ but be careful again. And this is not medical advice – please consult w/ a physician before using supplements or changing any of your dietary regimen. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/homemade-anti-bacterial-thieves-essential-oil-blend/
Ok, I understand and will do as you say. I have another question (actually 2). My friend gave me 3 oils to put in the wound, I think they are doing good but I want to know if you agree. The oils are: frankincense, basil and salvia. Could they burn him as the Thieves blend does? I also bought a homeopathic cream: Emuaid (the regular as the strong one has too much tea oil) from the States. I am not using it yet, do you think it could do any good?
Thanks again for the time you take to answer all of us.
Teresa
I don’t know what salvia is – could you clarify if you spelled it correctly please? Thanks. I can’t medically advise, sorry about that. I have heard about emu oil but not the emu aid. Is it all homeopathic?
Sorry, I meant sage, salvia is in Italian. Yes they say emuaid is all homeopathic, I’m not an expert…I have to believe them, these are the ingredients: Argentum Metallicum, Bacillus Ferment, Phytosphingosine, L-Lysine HCL, Tea tree oil, and Ceramide 3. Anyway, i started using it and it looks it’ s good so far.
So you really cannot tell me if i’ll burn my son if I put frankincense, sage and basil oil into his wound? Please I need to know.
Thank you again for your time.
I’m sorry but I can’t medically advise. I personally have used 2 of those oils NEAT (w/o diluting) but I can’t say it won’t hurt someone else. It is always best to dilute at first and use with caution. Thanks much.
They do not have anything like that at Native American Nutritionals. sorry.
It’s ok Adrienne, thanks for taking the time to check.
Teresa
These questions are getting pretty complex.. Frankincense is a good skin healing oil but is very expensive. It’s great for coughs, lung congestion, asthma, anxiety, depression, dehydrated skin etc. Basil is a great stress relieving oil which is good for oily skin treatments. Sage is a quite good skin regenerative oil as well but I wouldn’t use it directly on a wound as it’s a very strong oil and should always be diluted. … . If it were my child I would use tea tree, lavender (angustifolia), german chamomile and myrrh essential oils .. about 4 drops of each … mixed with a tablespoonful of aloe vera gel and a small teaspoonful of powdered green argelitz clay. Mix these ingredients with a clean wooden skewer in a sterile glass jar. Then apply a small amount to the wound and cover with a dressing. Gently cleanse with salt water and reapply each day or second day depending on how well it’s going. It’s best to see a naturopath or aromatherapist really though.
Hello! I’m new to this blog, and have found it to be the most interesting reading. Informative, and caring without all the MLM crap. Very refreshing. I especially liked how you handled the scared into buying only MLM product people…..lol. Those companies are very good at that crap. It’s upsetting to me that they take people who are ill, and prey on them. And I would think they are the ones who can’ least afford it.. Now, this is just mho, so if there are hostile people ready to dispute, please keep that to yourself. I won’t respond anyway. I just wanted to let Adrienne know that I’m impressed with her and what it is she’s trying to accomplish here. You go girl!
Welcome and THANKS! I hope to see you around again!
I’m just a beginner, but have a recurrence of plantar fasciitis and read that valor mixed with wintergreen helps tremensly, also you can add RC, but I can’t find that anywhere. If you have any suggestions, I would be grateful.
Thanks,
Sally
I’m sorry but what are you looking for? I’ll try to help.
This wasn’t my comment, but I have plantar fasciatis as well, and would love to know if there is a blend that will help it. I keep mine pretty well controlled with stretching, but there’s always the possibility of a flair up.
I haven’t ever had this but I am reading about peppermint and lemongrass and wintergreen and helichrysum as being good options. Hope that helps. Not medical advice but this is what I would try if it were me. Hope that helps.
Wintergreen is a restricted oil that should not be used by beginners and un qualified individuals in aromatherapy. Use Kunzea instead of wintergreen if you want to try something but I suggest you contact a qualified aromatherapist and ask them for advise and a blend rather than randomly make one up yourself gained from searches on the internet. Unfortunately, I read all sorts of terrible advise given by people who mean well, but have no real knowledge and suggest blends that can have terrible consequences. (An example is a blog by a woman who is considered an alternative healing expert. Her suggestions for a tired pregnant lady included having a nice bath with a specific essential oil. This essential oil is known to cause miscarriage…..
The only problem I can see with this is that young living oils are therapeutic grade which means they are safe to ingest. Essential oils that you purchase can be 1% essential oils and filled with lots of other fillers that are dangerous. This is why numerous essential oils say for external use only. After doing a lot of research into other companies and doing my homework I decided to use only Young living oils bc they are very particular about their quality. They raise all of their products from seed to the finished product. The only company that does every single step and process. This gives them amazing quality control. It also makes them have smaller batches and supply bc they like to maintain the quality. You can tour and watch the harvest of many of the plants. I would be cautious when recommending that people take random oils and mix together to make the replica of thieves. If someone would buy essential oils from a health food store and do this it could be extremely dangerous if they ingest them!! And no I do not profit from young living oils. I am a die hard user of them and allow family members and friends to buy on my distributor account to get the discount. I don’t recruit distributors underneath me. I am not in it to turn a profit. I don’t market. I usually give free samples to anyone and everyone who will use them because they have made such a difference in my life. A true quality essential oil will be therapeutic grade, be in a dark glass container that keeps sunlight out. It will never be in a plastic container bc true essential oils breakdown plastic bottles. It will never say for topical use only.
The thing to remember here is that any company, including Young Living, and doTERRA, can state that they are therapeutic quality but they aren’t under any regulations to be so. I am not saying that they aren’t but we are taking the companies’ words for it. I believe that essential oils will only break down cheap or certain types of plastic but I don’t buy them in plastic bottles. Haven’t seen them that way.
I was horrified to read Lesley Chachere’s comments about ingesting essential oils. NEVER, EVER ingest essential oils. They are to be taken in via skin via a qualified aromatherapist or via fragrance. Anyone who suggests that therapeutic grade oils are safe for ingestion is wrong, and must be ignored. I have been in this business for years, use only the highest quality oils available from European and other growers, and would never encourage some one to believe that essential oils can be ingested. (Some can, but only in tiny doses and only if advised by a medical practitioner or suitably qualified individual). I am sorry Lesley, but being a member of an MLM scheme does not qualify you to sell these oils and your opinions and advise is dangerous at best and could be catastrophic, causing death!
Thanks for your comment.
Hi there, Sue. I have actually heard that there really isn’t a particular school of thought per country for using the oils – and that that is a misconception. Thanks so much.
I don’t recommend ingesting of oils unless one is under the care of a medical professional or professional aromatherapist. Thanks for commenting :).
Thank you Adrienne! Not only did I just buy the ingredients for this “recipe”, I also fell in love with this blog. I tell you…. I CAN’T STAND many of my favourite blogs anymore. All of them are either doTerra or YoungLiving distributors.
I absolutely hate MLM schemes and I hate it even more when people are trying to shove these things down my throat. And this whole attitude about “only this brand will help” blabla makes me sick ;). I loved reading the posts about the best essential oil company. And the comments speak for themselves. I personally trust three different Swiss brands here. I am from Switzerland and always support “local” stuff first. I can get them at my health food store or online. I like to be independant. I’m convinced (and I’ve done my reserarch) that all of my three brands offer high quality oils that are just as good as any of these MLM oils.
If you have any other (copycat) recipes for good blends, I think many of us would appreciate them.
Hey thanks Bettina! I should work on that – anything you are interested in? Thanks!
Breathe, Di-gize…there are lots of blends I’d be interested in a copycat recipe for :o)
I should work on those – thanks!!!
I’m looking for a Purification copycat.
Hi there. I have tried one that I found on the internet- but I haven’t smelled the original in a long time. I am meaning to post it – works great. Feel free to email me if you’re desperate !
I think it’s a good oil blend, but the YL story about the source of Thieves absolutely cannot be true. It ranks at the level of internet legend.
One huge clue is the use of eucalyptus oil, which comes from a plant that originally only grew in Australia (and perhaps New Zealand) and thus, was not even known to the rest of the world until a few hundred years after the Plague. That’s not the only problem with this tale.
Also, I think others must have been pointing out the flaws in the story YL originally told, because they’ve changed their original version.
How interesting. Where did they change things – the story or the oil blend? I talked about the issue in my original Thieves post.
I agree….. Also I don’t think essential oils were even used in England at that time. Plague doctors used a nose cone filled with aromatic herbs and spices to keep away the “humours”.
although French thieves may have used essential oils .. .. just a thought