From 1347 to 1771 many European cities were repeatedly hit by the bubonic plague. It is estimated that about 50 million people died from this disease which was spread from rats to man by infected fleas.
In 1721, the Bubonic Plague hit many French cities so hard that all the dead could not be decently buried. To cope with this situation, the French authorities released condemned convicts from prison to help bury the highly infectious corpses.
According to legend, when the plague ravaged the city of Marseilles in the seventeenth century, it is said that most of the grave robbers and thieves that robbed the homes of many who had died of the plague, contracted the plague and died during that time except for one team of four convicted thieves one of whom was an herbalist, escaped what would have been inevitable illness and subsequent death by dousing their bodies and dousing their face masks in an herbal vinegar with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, and drinking daily large amounts of vinegar infused with garlic. Initially, as French folklore tells it, no one quite worried about the grave robbers and thieves the townspeople assumed, the plague would infect and kill them. But it didn’t.
Astonished by the thieves’ immunity and seemingly indifferent attitude toward the plague that devastated the community so severely, the judges offered the thieves a bargain: in exchange for releasing the cause of their immunity, the thieves would be hanged instead of burned at the stake – a less brutal and more quick end. One version of the story recounts that they were sentenced to bury the dead but would be set free if they survived. Another version tells that they were released in return for the recipe for the tonic that they credited with protecting them from the plague.
And the recipe for their herbal vinegar has continued to grow since then.
This same vinegar recipe is said to have been 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 a tremendously dangerous episode of the black plague, to prevent the catching of this dreaded disease. Other similar types of herbal Vinegars have been used as medicine since the time of Hippocrates.
ANCIENT REMEDY MODERN USES
Very strong smelling insect repellent. Put 1/4 cup of the vinegar in an 8-ounce spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Spray on skin, clothes, etc. when in heavily insect-infested areas. We store in the fridge to minimize the vinegar smell and make more refreshing.
In cases of illness or Immune boosting: it is very helpful in quick recovery. Adults can take 1 -2 TBSP with TBSP of raw honey several times a day (dilute in water!!) and kids can take 1 Tsp several times a day (well diluted in water/herbal tea), when sick and take one tablespoon per day for immunity boosting.
As a soak or topical spray for foot or nail fungus.
As a surface disinfectant – Diluting this with 1 part water and putting in a spray bottle will make a potent disinfectant that can be used on surfaces or sprayed in the air to prevent illness from spreading
Diluted and used on the scalp, this remedy is also said to be effective against dandruff.
Protection Magicks: Has very potent protective qualities spray or wash your doorstep with the will keep your enemies away.
Can be used as part of your house or home wardings for protecting your home or apartment.
Can be used as part of House Cleansing when getting rid of nasties…
Sometimes used with Hot Foot powder to send people away.
The Vinegar of the Four Thieves tastes awful and smells almost as bad, but it is very effective against a variety of ailments! Plus, it’s healthier and cheaper than antibiotics!
Four Thieves Vinegar is a folkloric elixir thought to cure or protect one against the black death or plague, at least, that’s what French folklore teaches us (and, no, it hasn’t been approved by the Food & Drug Administration).
Our Ingredients: All fresh ingredients added to the original recipe straight from the Louvre in Paris.
