The King forced the thieves to divulge the specific plant oils used, and the formula for extracting them from the plants. With that vital information in hand, he was thereby able to protect himself and his family from the deadly plague. What's more, this story is not all that unusual. In fact, it is widely known that many perfumers and tanners in 16th century England were also able to escape the Black Plague due to the fact that the powerful, sweet smelling plant oils used in the making of various perfumes and in the scenting of leather goods exhibit phenomenal antimicrobial properties. History further reveals that virtually the entire town of Bucklersbury, England was spared from the plague, even while the residents of other towns in close proximity were dying in droves.
Historians believe it was no fluke.
This fortunate town was the center of the European lavender trade. Lavender is a plant the essential oil of which is widely used in making perfume. More importantly, the oil of lavender has long been known to have powerful disease fighting properties. In fact, recent scientific and medical research has proven that the essential oil of lavender has immune stimulating and anti-microbial properties that rival and even surpass many modern antiseptic chemicals and antibiotic drugs.