Enter Vinegar of the Four Thieves into our lives…
Years ago, with scary threats of mosquitoes (Lyme’s Disease, West Nile virus) in the news, I spent some time reading about mosquito and tick repellents. We wanted something that didn’t contain toxic chemicals, namely problematic DEET, and of course, one that would work. We lived on a farm where there were a lot of lakes and wetlands. I came upon an article written by Shoshanna Easling. I felt she had the right idea.
She wrote:
“The last great plague of 1664-1665 covered all of Europe, Turkey, India, and into China. It is estimated that at least one-half of the population of those areas died. The people knew the disease was somehow related to the rats and mice, because as the rodents died off, so did the people.
“I read of one old couple who served the sick and never got ill. They strongly believed their immunity was the result of the use of herbal vinegar, which they put on their hair, clothes, and even a vinegar-drenched rag placed in front of their faces while attending the sick. They lived to tell their stories and to promote their preventative.
“Many families survived by creating acrid smoke in their homes every third day. They thought the smoke was purifying the air of disease. The smoke was made by burning a variety of things, from gunpowder to the herb rosemary. They suspected it would drive the rodents and fleas from their homes.
“Burning rosemary, which is a pleasant odor, proved to be so effective in ridding homes of pests that its use has continued down through the years. Even as late as World War II, rosemary incenses were burned in the hospitals of France to “cleanse the air”.
The Story of the Four Thieves
The most famous and interesting story of healing coming out of the great Black Death plague was the story of the four thieves and their amazing concoction that came to be known as The Vinegar of the Four Thieves.
History records that the four thieves were arrested for stealing from the homes of the many dead victims.
One of the thieves was an herbalist, whose herbal wine vinegar purportedly kept the four thieves alive all during the Black Death. These men also kept a vinegar soaked rag over their faces during the plague. [Vinegar is used now as a germ killing bleach alternative. We are always told during flu season not to touch our faces as that is the entry point]. As their resistance to the disease became obvious, others started using their vinegar tincture—reportedly with great success.
The old records document several recipes that are very much alike. I looked up each of the herbs comprising the tincture and marveled at how effective the tincture would be in place of today’s insect repellents.
Of course, superstition was rampant during those times, and disease was not understood, so the old history books confuse superstition with herbal healing. Common sense and more recent medical understanding have made it possible to comprehend why this herbal vinegar worked so well.
1. Rosemary
Rosemary is a strong antiseptic and one of the choice herbs that helps repel bugs and rodents (photo above).
2. Wormwood
Wormwood herb (also known as artemesia and used in cancer therapy) is a bitter herb. It is antiseptic and antiparasitic, but do not use it internally.
3. Lavender and peppermint
Both are high in volatile oils, hence make excellent ingredients for an insect repellent, as well as being pleasant smelling.
4. Sage
Sage is antibacterial, antifungal, and has antioxidant properties. It has been used since the Middle Ages as an insect repellent.
5. And chopped fresh garlic.
Garlic is considered by many herbalists as the king of herbs.
It has properties that are antimicrobial, antibiotic and, anti-fungal—chemicals that kill parasites.
Always keep some garlic on hand and read about how to use it for your family. Bulbs of garlic are easy to grow and would be one of my choices of medicine in a hostile world without medical care.
My Vinegar Of the Four Thieves Recipe:
Ingredients For Concentrate:
• One 32 ounce bottle of organic Apple Cider Vinegar with “the Mother”
• 2 TBSP Wormwood (dried)
• 2 TBSP Rosemary (dried)
• 2 TBSP Sage (dried)
• 2 TBSP Lavender (dried)
• 2 TBSP Peppermint (dried)
• 4-8 cloves of minced garlic (optional)
Directions to Make the Concentrated Tincture:
• Put all the dried herbs and garlic (if using) into a large glass jar (I used half gallon)
• Pour the Vinegar over the herbs and garlic and seal tightly. The vinegar is strong enough to corrode some metal lids, so consider putting plastic wrap or a plastic bag on top and then putting the lid on.
• Steep in a cool, dark, place for 6-8 weeks, shaking daily if possible.
• After 6-8 weeks, strain the herbs out using a small strainer and retain the herbal liquid mixture.
Makes 1 quart.
Four Thieves dilution for a spray bottle:
Put 1/4- 1/2 cup of the vinegar concentrate in an 8-ounce spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Simply spray on skin, clothes, etc. when in heavily insect infested areas.
Keep it out of eyes.
Other Uses for Vinegar of the Four Thieves:
The Vinegar of the Four Thieves is a super-strong (though strong smelling!) insect repellent.
This repellent can be used many ways.
• Sprayed on your socks or shoes will discourage ticks, chiggers, and mites.
• An herbal cloth kept in your pocket and rubbed on your skin every hour or so would be very beneficial during outdoor work, recreation, or while out on camping trips.
• Safe on pets, just keep it out of their eyes.
• Will not stain clothing in our experience. Do a test for your self to be sure…fabrics vary.
Stored in a cool dark place, it keeps for several years. I am making it again this year, and wanted to share about it with you and your family.
I first used the preparation of this as a lesson in herbology with my kids.
While we smelled a bit like a salad, we didn’t have to use a product with potentially toxic chemical DEET, and it was/is effective for us.
The Vinegar of the Four Thieves to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and while nursing), children and animals.
“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” ~Genesis 1:29
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Vicky
I love this – I haven’t tried your recipe though I plan too. My son mixes the oils and has used it frequently; It works. I came across your site looking at trellis ideas for growing zucchini vertical and I do like how you fashioned yours. Thank you for sharing.
Vicky
Jennifer Price
Thank you for sharing on this~I had heard of it before. I’d love to grow my own herbs for this recipe someday. I did purchase a half pound and look forward to seeing how it works for our family. There has been so much rain this spring I’m sure the ‘bugs’ will be around. I did enjoy watching a few of Shoshanna’s live videos. How fun! My daughter and I want to dry the wonderful lip ‘gloss’ she makes~
Sarah Sailer
What a joy to have found your blog! I am a Momma of four little girls (ages 3, 5, 7, and 9) I homeschool… and have recently been hard at work on our food garden (working on becoming more self-sustainable!! LOVING all of the topics I see here so far… hoping to try this insect repellent soon! Thank you already – for investing your time in sharing with us. I can tell I will glean lots of wisdom from your posts. Blessings to you and yours!! – Sarah
Susie
Just wish to say your article is as a helpful one to us. This is my first time here… I will grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming posts. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.
Linda
Thanks. I am looking for an alternative to Deet, and I am going to try this one out. The fleas and other insects have been so bad in the deep south this year due to the record high tempretures and warm winter. I hope this can replace Deet as it is safer.
Angie Jamison
Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I really want to make it! I’ve been wanting a recipe to use and this sounds perfect 🙂
Thank you!
Angie
Fa
If you don’t take this 4 thieves vinegar internally, then how and when do you use this tincture??
Thanks, Fatha
Jacqueline
Hello, Fatha!
You spray it on your clothing…
If you read right below the photo of the cut sage, you will see this text:
…Shoshanna also said, “The Vinegar of the Four Thieves is a super-strong insect repellent. It should be diluted with water to half strength if you spray it directly on your skin. This repellent can be used many ways. Splashed on your socks or shoes will discourage ticks, chiggers, and mites. An herbal cloth kept in your pocket and rubbed on your skin ever hour or so would be very beneficial during outdoor work, recreation, or while out on camping trips. It should only be used externally.”
I hope that helps!
Pat Willems
Would homemade cider vinegar work with this?
Jacqueline
Yes, Pat, I am sure it would – as long as the acidity is comparable..
Blessings,
Jacque
Abby
Hi. Could you use wormwood liquid instead of dried herbs?
Jacqueline
Abby, Yes, I am sure you could! Just so it is approximately the same dilution in the finished product.
It is antiseptic and antiparasitic, but do NOT use it internally.
Blessings!
Jacque
Bea Ann Bridges
HI Jacque, I am preparing to make this recipe above and noticed that wormwood is listed in the section above the recipe, but I do not see it in the actual recipe. So I’m wondering if that’s an error or if you meant to leave it out of the recipe.
Thanks for your help and I’m looking forward to trying it soon! 🙂
Bea Ann Bridges
Bea Ann Bridges
Oh I just noticed that thyme is listed in the actual recipe but not in the info above it, so maybe you substituted thyme for the wormwood. Could that be the reason?
Thanks, Bea Ann
Jacqueline
Bea Ann,
My apologies! I never noticed that! I have it linked correctly in the section on Wormwood, but not in the recipe!
So it is fixed now!
Sorry for the error, and I am so glad you alerted me to it!
Blessings,
Jacque
Bea Ann Bridges
Thank you, Jacque! I plan to gather all the herbs needed and make it this week! Love trying all your wonderful natural remedies from God’s creation! 🙂
Abby
Hi. Do you have a recipe for a homemade spray or a product that you recommend for spraying for bugs inside the house? We live on the coast, so lots of water bugs but I hate to have a professional come and spray every month with all the chemicals. Thanks for all you do and for sharing your knowledge!
Jacqueline
Hi, Abby!
We use Cedarcide Tick Shield spray for the woods and the meadows here: https://amzn.to/3OAkDoQ
I just pulled out our spray bottle.
The ingredients are far better (and far safer) than anything else I can find for humans and pets!
I hope that helps!
~Jacque