Four Thieves Vinegar — History and a Recipe
by Scholastica Joycors
Myth and legends surround the Four Thieves Vinegar and are too numerous to list in this short article. Some say it was used by a group of thieves during European outbreak of the black plague set out to rob the dead and the sick in Marseille. When they were caught, they offered to exchange their secret recipe, which had allowed them to commit the robberies without catching the disease, in exchange for leniency. It is said that they told the judge that they drank and wash with the vinegar solution every few hours. This may all be myth, but similar types of herbal vinegars have been used since before the time of Hippocrates, around 400 BC.
History tells us that the bubonic plague wreaked havoc in Europe off and on for about 600 years before peaking in the 14th century. The plague had a big influence on the life of William Shakespeare, having claimed the lives of some of his siblings as well as causing the theatre to be shut down during a nasty outbreak in London between 1593 and 1608.
A well known fact is that bubonic plague is a bite-based infection. A plausible reason for not contracting the plague while wearing this vinegar solution is that it contains natural flea repellents. Since the flea is the carrier for the Plague bacillus, Yersinia pestis. Wormwood has properties similar to cedar as an insect repellent, as all aromatics like sage, cloves, camphor, rosemary, campanula, etc. Meadowsweet, although known to contain salicyclic acid, it is mainly used to mask odors, like decomposing bodies. It is said that Cardinal Wolsey had a custom of carrying an orange in his hand which had been hollowed out and was filled with a sponge soaked in the vinegar and impregnated with various spices in order to save himself from getting the infection while passing through crowds. Large beak shaped masks worn by the wealthy and physicians were often filled with the herbs in the beak so that they could smell and be surrounded by the life saving herbs.
Recipes for this legendary concoction are as numerous as the stories. The following vinegar recipe hung in the Museum of Paris in 1937, and is said to have been an original copy of the recipe posted on the walls of Marseilles during an episode of the plague:
Take three pints of strong white wine vinegar, add a handful of each of wormwood, meadowsweet, wild marjoram and sage, fifty cloves, two ounces of campanula roots, two ounces of angelic, rosemary and horehound and three large measures of champhor. Place the mixture in a container for fifteen days, strain and express then bottle. Use by rubbing it on the hands, ears and temples from time to time when approaching a plague victim. (Gattefosse)
Here is modern version of this recipe. Some say it is a great vinigrette, others say that mixed with water it makes a nice tonic to strengthen your immune system, some spray it on their skin and clothing every few hours as a insect repellent, and others use it as an antibacterial cleaning solution, in the world of magic it is said to be used as protection spray against germs, the evil eye, unsavory critters and the plague.
FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR (Modern Version)
2 tablespoons Wormwood 2 tablespoons Rosemary (dried)
2 tablespoons Sage (dried) 2 tablespoons Lavender (dried)
2 tablespoons Peppermint (dried) 2 tablespoons of Rue
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (enough to cover herbs completely)
You can also throw in cloves, cinnamon and/or garlic for extra potency.
Put all the dried herbs into a large glass jar. Pour the Vinegar over the herbs and garlic and seal tightly. The vinegar is strong enough to corrode some metal lids, so in this case, consider putting plastic wrap/wax paper or a plastic bag on top and then putting the lid on. Leave in a cool, dark, place for 6-8 weeks if possible. After 6-8 days, strain the herbs out using a small strainer and store tonic in smaller jars for easy use.
FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR.2
1 part lavender, dried 1 part sage, dried
1 part thyme, dried 1 part lemon balm (melissa), dried
1 part hyssop, dried 1 part peppermint, dried
1 handful garlic cloves Raw (unpasteurized), organic apple cider vinegar
In a glass jar, place all dry ingredients.
Add raw (unpasteurized), organic apple cider vinegar to cover
Place jar in a cool place and let sit, at room temperature, for six weeks.
Strain off herbs and garlic, and decant to a glass bottle or jar with a tight fitting lid.
HOW TO USE FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR
• Take a teaspoonful several times daily.
• Add to salads either directly or in a salad dressing.
• For personal protection, add a teaspoonful to bath water.
• Use as a topical spray for disinfecting surfaces and/or skin
ALTERNATIVE FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR
wormwood • meadowsweet • juniper berries • rosemary • camphor • sage • cinnamon • cloves • white wine vinegar
FOUR THIEVES OIL
1 part eucalyptus 1 part rosemary
1 part cinnamon 1 part clove
1 part lemon Carrier oil (olive, jojoba, or your choice)
Place 50 drops of each oil in a 2 oz. bottle and then top it off with jojoba oil (I like jojoba oil because it seems to never go rancid).
The concept of using strong herbs with vinegar is a verified scientific truth that dates back to early man and continues to show it’s benefits in todays world, you can even buy it already made in both vinegar and oil versions. Guess it is true that everything old is new again.
Bibliography:
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, Gattefosse’s Aromatherapy (CW Daniel Company, Ltd. First published in Paris, France in 1937 by Girardot & Cie.), 85-86.
http://www. http://secretofthieves.com/?p=412
Copyright 2017 by MyLinda Butterworth aka Scholastica Joycors. <scholastica.ppa@gmail.com>. This article originally appeared in The Yeoman: May 2017
Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited and receives a copy.
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