Four Thieves Vinegar, is a vinegar that takes its name from a historical event. Known for centuries as an effective remedy, this vinegar has a story behind it. According to lore, during the plague epidemic in the 14th century in the city of Marseille, now located in France (this plague epidemic affected the whole of Europe and is cited in some sources to have caused the death of 25 million people in the 14th century), four thieves were robbing houses and shops in plague-ravaged villages without being affected by the disease. Legend has it that the thieves were caught red-handed while robbing victims who had died of the plague and were sentenced to death; however, they were told they would be pardoned if they disclosed how they avoided contracting the disease. They then confessed that they washed their hands and gargled with a vinegar blend they had prepared. The thieves were pardoned and released in exchange for demonstrating the preparation of this vinegar to the public in the streets.
Since then, known for centuries as Four Thieves Vinegar, this preparation has been used for numerous ailments.
Although there are some slight variations in its recipe—the general outline of which is described below—due to the lack of sufficient research and clinical evidence regarding this vinegar, it is believed that it should only be used for household purposes such as cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, and insect repelling. We remind you that internal consumption may pose certain health risks, and therefore it should under no circumstances be ingested.
How Is Four Thieves Vinegar Made?Ingredients:
• 40 g bitter wormwood
• 40 g wormwood
• 40 g peppermint
• 40 g rosemary
• 40 g rue
• 40 g sage
• 40 g lavender
• 30 g nutmeg
• 30 g calamus
• 30 g cinnamon
• 30 g cloves
• 30 g garlic
• 2.5 liters apple cider vinegar
The herbs listed above are steeped in apple cider vinegar and left to ferment, preferably in the sun, for 15 days. Afterwards, it is strained and can be stored in a tightly sealed bottle. It should be kept in a cool place protected from light.
Four Thieves Vinegar was registered in the Codex in 1748. Having its efficacy registered in the Codex, this vinegar appeared on pharmacy shelves as a medicinal vinegar at that time and was long used as a natural antiseptic in the treatment of various diseases.
Due to its purifying, cleansing, and soothing properties, it has been used as an effective and natural alternative for overall skincare, hair, scalp, and mucous membranes, even for sensitive skin.Uses;
Cleanser:Four Thieves Vinegar is used pure to cleanse oily skin. It is ideal for acne vulgaris, skin irritations, itching, wounds, and insect bites, particularly to cleanse, soothe, and soften sensitive skin.
It is also an excellent disinfectant for cleaning household surfaces and equipment.Toner:It is a toner that refreshes, revitalizes, cleanses the skin, opens pores, and imparts radiance.Hair care:It softens the hair and gives it shine. It purifies the scalp from oil and dandruff and relieves itching. It is effective in eliminating head lice and nits.Pain reliever:
Anti-inflammatoryDue to its properties, it is beneficial in relieving joint pain. In headaches, it has been observed to be effective in migraine-type pains when applied by rubbing onto the temples.Antiseptic and wound healing:After cleaning wounds with Four Thieves Vinegar, applying an oily dressing with St. John’s Wort oil to prevent the wound from drying out will assist in the healing of difficult wounds.During the winter season:Applying compresses soaked in warm vinegar to the chest area can help alleviate shortness of breath and ease breathing. It is used as a gargle to relieve sore throat and as steam inhalation to clear the respiratory tract.
In colds and flu; cleansing exposed body areas such as the hands or face is effective in preventing colds and flu.Infectious diseases or intestinal infections:It is recommended to ingest by adding 3-5 drops into a glass of water.
It is also a tonic that can be used in cases of weakness or fatigue.Usage characteristics:This formula, known as Four Thieves Vinegar, is a combination of aromatic and medicinal plants with antiseptic properties infused in apple cider vinegar;
Externally;
• Diluted with water in the form of a lotion and tonic.
• If used over the entire body for disinfection purposes, applied pure or diluted up to half with water.
• In the treatment or disinfection of wounds, insect bites, and various irritations, applied pure or diluted up to half with water.
• Eradication of lice: hair is cleaned with pure vinegar every 2-3 days until hair, nits, and lice are completely eliminated, left on for one to two hours, and then rinsed with clean water.
• Hair lotion: to cleanse the scalp and add shine to hair, after washing and rinsing the hair, the scalp and hair are rubbed with a small amount of vinegar.
• As a tonic: vinegar is applied pure or after being diluted up to half with water to the face and the entire body while taking a bath.Internally;• In disease prevention; it should be diluted with water, 1 to 3 tablespoons are taken daily for a stronger effect.
• In respiratory tract disorders: 1 – 2 tablespoons are diluted in boiling water and applied as steam inhalation.
Four Thieves Vinegar has a shelf life exceeding 30 months in a 500 ml dark glass bottle, and it is recommended to be used within 18 months after the bottle is opened.
I would like to express my gratitude to Pharm. Özlem Demir for her contributions to the preparation of this article.
Wishing you a good week…
Spec. Pharm. Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657http://www.majistralformul.com/
