Four Thieves Vinegar
There are two tales about the origins of the Four Thieves Vinegar, and both refer to the plague and four thieves. Whichever story is true, the fact is that the thieves did not meet their end due to the plague but, rather, to the hangman’s noose. The stories go as follows:
In the 17th century there were four thieves who robbed the homes of those suffering from illness and dying from the plague or, as it was known, the Black Death. It is said that the thieves would anoint their bodies in vinegar that had been infused with “protective” herbs, shielding them against the disease.
At first, folks assumed the plague would take hold of them and justice would be served. However, the thievery continued. Eventually they were apprehended and offered a less agonizing form of death if they shared the recipe for immunity.
The second version of the tale is that four thieves were jailed and, as no-one else wanted to do the job, they were sentenced to bury the dead after the plague hit. They created this potent herbal vinegar in which they rubbed behind their ears, on their temples and hands. The four of them managed to survive the plague and were given a quick execution as an appreciation of their service.
Now, I am sure you are not planning to be a thief and, thankfully, there is no plague around, but this vinegar deserves a place in your herbal medicine chest. Here is a brief run-down of the ingredients and their benefits in this particular remedy (these herbs are good for far more ailments – see individual herb for more)
Apple cider vinegar – kills harmful bacteria
Sage – Antiseptic, antibiotic, astringent, antimicrobial
Rosemary – Astringent, antiseptic, circulatory stimulant, promotes sweating
Lavender – Anti-bacterial, antiseptic
Juniper – Antiseptic, removes toxins, mild disinfectant
Thyme – Antiseptic, expectorant, antiseptic, soothes coughs, antibiotic
Black pepper – Expectorant, antimicrobial, insecticide (fleas carried the plague)
Garlic – Antibiotic, expectorant, promotes sweating
To use the vinegar as a medicine if you feel a cold or flu coming on, take 1 tsp vinegar in 1 glass of water three times a day.
As a preventative during cold season, or if you are visiting a sick person, take 1 Tbsp in a cup of water once a day
It can be used as a household cleaner for kitchen and bathrooms
Like most herbal vinegars, it can be used in salad dressings, sauces and anywhere else that you would use vinegar
Four Thieves Vinegar
A medieval cure against the plague, which is still used today to fight infections, cleanse and heal wounds, clean your home, and cook with. Use dried herbs as apple cider vinegar is not a strong preservative like other vinegars. Fresh herbs contain water and will shorten the shelf life of the remedy.
- Course
- Cuisine
- Keyword
medicinal
health
Barefoot Life, Herbal remedies, medicinal
- Prep Time
15 minutes
- 30 days
Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Sage
- 2 tsp Rosemary
- 2 tsp Lavender flowers
- 2 tsp Juniper berries
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 bulb Fresh garlic, broken into cloves
Instructions
- Combine all herbs and garlic and place in a glass jar
- Pour the apple cider vinegar into the jar and shake well
- Seal with a plastic or glass lid. If it is metal, first close the jar with a piece of baking paper as the vinegar will corrode the metal lid
- Label and place in a dark cupboard for one month. Shake daily
- Strain into a brown or green glass bottle and store in the fridge or a dark cupboard
Notes
Medicinal dosage - 1 tsp in a glass of cold water 3 times a day
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