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So much history, legend, and lore surround Four Thieves Vinegar that it’s difficult to discern fact from fiction. Nonetheless, this herbal remedy has been part of the herbal lexicon for centuries. Today, we are going to explore the facts, the fiction, and the evolution of the recipe over the decades.
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The Legend of the Four Thieves
There are many different versions of this tale. In some versions, the four thieves are brothers whose parents were herbalists. In another version, they were perfume and spice merchants who lost their livelihoods and so resorted to crime. Another version still says that they were prisoners whose job was disposing of the bodies, and they created the vinegar to keep themselves safe.
There is also a wide variance in the number of thieves, with some renditions claiming four, others seven, and even one that claimed forty. Then there is the possibility that it was initially Forthave’s Vinegar, and the name was transformed over time from Forthave’s to Four Thieves. Whichever tale you follow, the evidence still shows that the concoction was quite useful for warding off illness. For fun, the most widely used version is below.
"When the black plague ravaged Marseilles, French folklore says that a band of thieves escaped the Black Death by dousing themselves and their masks in a strong herbal vinegar. These cunning thieves became notorious for their successful robberies of the homes of the sick, and they remained untouched by illness until eventually caught and imprisoned. In exchange for leniency, the thieves offered to surrender their secret elixir. The famous recipe was then posted on the walls of Marseille for all to see. As Four Thieves Vinegar's reputation spread, the demand for it grew. Families began brewing their own versions, adapting the recipe, and passing it down through generations as a treasured heirloom."
Today, the legend of the four thieves and their vinegar lives on. Modern adaptations of the recipe can be found in smelling salts, sipping vinegars, essential oil blends, perfumes, and candles.
What is Four Thieves Vinegar?
Four Thieves Vinegar, also known as Thieves’ Oil, Marseilles Vinegar, or Marseilles Remedy, is a vinegar infusion of herbs and spices believed to protect against the plague. Its roots can be traced back to the Black Death epidemic of the medieval period, but similar herbal vinegars can be found in the writings of Hippocrates.
Below is the original recipe, which is said to have been hung on the walls of Marseille. It also was published in 1937 by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé’s in his book Gettefossé’s Aromatherapy.
“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 it, and then express it in a bottle. Use by rubbing it on the hands, ears, and temples from time to time when approaching a plague victim.”
Why Did 4 Thieves Vinegar Work?
Scientists believe the concoction's efficacy is explained by the fact that many of the ingredients repel insects… including fleas, which were the primary spreaders of the disease. Another theory is that the ingredients were all antimicrobial, antiviral, or antiseptic. It’s also important to note that the original recipe was for topical use only and could prove toxic if ingested. Let’s look at some of the original ingredients before moving on to the more modern version.
Wormwood
Wormwood is most commonly recognized as an ingredient in absinthe and vermouth. In addition to repelling flies and fleas, it is antiparasitic, antiviral, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, choleretic, and immune-enhancing.
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet, also known as The Queen of the Meadow and Meadow Wort, is a delicious and sweet member of the rose (Rosaceae) family that is steeped in history and lore. Along with being an insect repellent and disinfectant, it is also anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and astringent.
Campanula Root
In modern times, campanula is more commonly known as Bellflower. With distinct purple bell-shaped flowers and roots that resemble parsnips, it was once a diet staple throughout Europe, though it is seldom grown today. I couldn’t find much information on this plant, but I know it is anti-inflammatory and was used to treat whooping cough and tuberculosis.
Angelica
Also known as the ‘Herb of Angels, ’ Angelica is a member of the parsley family. Today, it is primarily candied and sold to be eaten for digestion, but it is also used as a repellent for the mosquito species most commonly associated with the spread of Dengue Fever. It is alterative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, expectorant, and nervine.
Horehound
Horehound is a member of the mint family and was once a common candy ingredient. Today, it is still used in throat lozenges and cough drops. In addition to repelling mosquitoes, fleas, and flies, it is antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diaphoretic, and diuretic.
Camphor
Camphor is a common ingredient in flea and mosquito repellents to this day. It is also antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant, nervine, and an immune booster.
Modern Four Thieves Vinegar Ingredients
Today, most Four Thieves Vinegar recipes include sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and lavender, with other variations including juniper berries, black peppercorn, mint, wormwood, bay leaves, marjoram, cinnamon, lemons, and other ingredients. Since it is a folk recipe, it can be adapted to include any herbs you have on hand. A critical distinction between the modern and historical versions is that the modern vinegar is safe to ingest. I couldn’t find any clear history of when this version arrived on the scene. However, it likely dates back to fifteenth-century botanist Richard Forthav, who published the concoction as Forthave’s Vinegar.
How to Make Four Thieves Vinegar
THE INGREDIENTS:
2 cups organic apple cider vinegar
1 fresh sprig of sage
1 fresh sprig of rosemary,
1 fresh sprig of thyme
1 bulb fresh raw garlic crushed
2 TBLS dried lavender
2 TBL dried juniper berries
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorn crushed
THE METHOD:
Add all of the herbal ingredients to your large glass jar.
Top the jar to within 1" of the rim with apple cider vinegar. Place wax or parchment paper over the glass, then put your lid (and ring) in place.
Shake to combine and place in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking every few days.
Once maceration is complete, strain the plant matter, bottle, and label.
DOSAGE:
Take 1 - 2 Tbls daily. You can take this straight up, dilute it in water, mix it into tea or juice, or use it for cooking.
Four Thieves Vinegar, an Ancient Remedy with Modern Uses
While this folkloric elixir may or may not have helped thieves stave off the plague while they robbed homes and graves, modern herbalists have revived the interest in this age-old remedy. Along with being a tasty addition to the kitchen and a helpful partner in the medicine cabinet, it can also double as a cleaning spray or (diluted) as a facial toner.
Since it takes 4-6 weeks to complete, start your vinegar infusion now so that this powerful folk remedy will be ready to support you through the cold and flu season. If you’ve made Four Thieves Vinegar before, tell us all about it in the comments below. Stay healthy, my friends, and until next time,
Disclaimer:
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