Last week Sarah Munro, the heroine of One Dark Wish (the second book in the Deadly Force series) shared her updated recipe for Fire Cider, an enhanced vinegar with antiviral and immune-boosting properties. While Fire Cider is a well-known recipe, it’s second in fame to another vinegar infusion known as The Four Thieves Vinegar.
Four Thieves Vinegar is related to Four Thieves essential oil, usually found in specialty health food stores. But where oil can be used sparingly on the skin, the vinegar can be ingested and even used as a household cleaner and laundry booster. The really cool thing about this recipe is that it dates to the Bubonic Plague in 1413.
The story behind the Four Thieves Vinegar takes place in either Marseilles, France or London, England, depending on who you ask. And some say there were five thieves instead of just four. There are even two different endings to this story. Regardless of the differences, the main part of the story–including the recipe–has remained the same over the centuries.
During the 15th century, in the middle of the Bubonic Plague scourging all of Europe, four (or five) thieves entered the homes of the sick and robbed them while they suffered in their illness and eventual death. Yet, despite the shocking number of robberies, these men never got sick.
According to the legends, these thieves anointed their bodies with an oil (or vinegar) infused with a variety of herbs that were known to have antiviral and antibacterial properties (although they didn’t quite understand the science yet). The concoction was even known to repel fleas despite the fact that fleas were a suspected-but-not-yet-proven vector of disease. Then these men would break into the homes of the sick and fill their sacks.
Eventually, these men were caught. One story says that to make amends, these men were forced to bury the dead–and they still didn’t catch the plague. The other ending is that, to avoid a public hanging, they had to reveal their immunity secret.
Regardless, both stories are clear on the recipe that these thieves used to protect themselves. Although some of the stories say they used an essential oil infusion, it’s more likely they used a vinegar infusion as that was much cheaper and easier to make. This vinegar recipe is meant to be ingested as an immunity builder (1 Tablespoon per day) and can also be used as a household cleaner to wipe down doorknobs and counters. Or you can add a 1/4 cup to the rinse cycle of your laundry. As a beverage, I add it to a seltzer water in the morning and on days I feel like I need an immunity boost, I just take a shot of it.
The amazing thing about this infusion, besides the fact it’s been around for centuries, is how easy it is to make. Except for the lavender flowers (easily found online), it uses basic household ingredients like sage and rosemary and apple cider vinegar. As with all homeopathic remedies, please contact your doctor first and see the notes below.
Sarah Munro’s Five Thieves Vinegar
Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw apple cider vinegar with mother (I prefer Bragg’s)
- 2 teaspoons dried sage leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried lavender flowers
- 2 teaspoons dried juniper berries
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 small bulb of garlic, cloves peeled and minced.
- 1 quart-sized glass jar (I use Ball canning jars)
- Parchment paper
Directions:
Sterilize the glass jar and set aside.
Mix together all of the herbs and spiced in a small bowl. Pour into the glass jar.
Fill the glass jar with apple cider vinegar, leaving a 1″ head space at the top of the jar.
Using a clean knife, stir through the jar to get rid of all of the air bubbles. Add more vinegar if necessary.
Cover the jar with parchment paper and seal with the lid. (You don’t want the vinegar touching the metal lid because the vinegar will corrode the metal)
Set the jar in a cold, dark area to macerate for four weeks. Shake the jar daily to improve the extraction.
After four weeks, place a colander in a large bowl or pot. Line the colander with cheesecloth. Pour the vinegar into the colander and strain the liquid for 45 minutes.
Squeeze out the last of the liquid and discard the herbs. (or compost them)
Pour the infused vinegar into a sterilized jar and store in a dark cupboard.
Note: If you use fresh herbs, double the amounts.
Dosage: 1 Tablespoon per day, and an extra Tablespoon if you feel like you need a boost. It can be taken directly or mixed with sparkling water.
Important disclaimer about wild plants, foraging, and making herbal and homeopathic remedies:
I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).
It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.
- If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.
- If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.
Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.
Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.
Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.
Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.
I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!
