There are two tales about the origins of the Four Thieves Vinegar, and both refer to the plague and four thieves. Whichever story is true, the fact is that the thieves did not meet their end due to the plague but, rather, to the hangman’s noose. The stories go as follows:
In the 17th century there were four thieves who robbed the homes of those suffering from illness and dying from the plague or, as it was known, the Black Death. It is said that the thieves would anoint their bodies in vinegar that had been infused with “protective” herbs, shielding them against the disease.
At first, folks assumed the plague would take hold of them and justice would be served. However, the thievery continued. Eventually they were apprehended and offered a less agonizing form of death if they shared the recipe for immunity.
The second version of the tale is that four thieves were jailed and, as no-one else wanted to do the job, they were sentenced to bury the dead after the plague hit. They created this potent herbal vinegar in which they rubbed behind their ears, on their temples and hands. The four of them managed to survive the plague and were given a quick execution as an appreciation of their service.

Four Thieves Vinegar
Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Sage
- 2 tsp Rosemary
- 2 tsp Lavender flowers
- 2 tsp Juniper berries
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 bulb Fresh garlic, broken into cloves
Instructions
- Combine all herbs and garlic and place in a glass jar
- Pour the apple cider vinegar into the jar and shake well
- Seal with a plastic or glass lid. If it is metal, first close the jar with a piece of baking paper as the vinegar will corrode the metal lid
- Label and place in a dark cupboard for one month. Shake daily
- Strain into a brown or green glass bottle and store in the fridge or a dark cupboard