Four Thieves Formula

(Info taken from http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com/)

The Legend of the Four Thieves Vinegar:

"One version goes that in the 1630's, when the plague was raging in France, the town of Toulouse was beset with looters. Four looters were apprehended, but rather than punish them, the judge offered them a deal. Amazed at their continued health after wandering through homes and businesses abandoned by their terrified owners, the judge offered to let the thieves go if they gave him the secret of their resistance to the plague.

What was their famous secret? It was a vinegar made from thyme, rosemary, sage and lavender. This infusion was termed thieves vinegar. Although garlic was added to the mixture later, the basic infusion became famous and was used throughout Europe for hundreds of years, both internally and externally, to provide protection from the dreaded plague.

There are a number of recipes for the Four Thieves formula.

The original probably went something like this:

equal parts thyme, rosemary, sage and lavender. Place them in a gallon of vinegar and seal and put in a dark place for 6 weeks. Afterwards, strain into a clean bottle. This can also be used as a disinfectant.

The version I made was given to me by my friend, Stefanie. Here is what we did:

Take one gallon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. You can read more about the benefits of this vinegar HERE on a previous post. Pour off 3 cups and put in another jar.

In the gallon container, with the rest of the vinegar, add:

1 1/2 C. fresh onions, chopped

1/2 C. chopped fresh ginger

1/3-1/2 C. chopped garlic

cayenne to taste...start with a teaspoon..depending on the heat unit of your Cayenne

Let sit for a week to 10 days in a dark place, shaking occasionally.

Strain and discard solids. I put my "Thieves" solution in the above gallon glass jar.

Take 1 tablespoon a day (1 t. for kids) to enhance immune system.

(A note on onions and garlic: "They are packed with compounds called allyl sulfides that are thought to actually de-activate cancer-causing chemicals and well as slow down proliferation of cancer cells. In addition, they provide heart-disease protection by reducing cholesterol and keeping blood from clumping on artery walls, and may boost the immune system and have an antibacterial effect"-from Looking Younger and Living Longer by Mary Roberts Smith)

(A note on Cayenne: "It has antibiotic properties and is nutritional as well and medicinal. It builds up the body's resistance and since it is antibiotic and is high in Vitamin C, it is good to take at the first symptom of a cold. In can increase energy, and is the best general stimulant of the body and organs. It also helps improve the entire circulatory system." Mary Roberts Smith)

*****This stuff is very powerful! This is 100 times stronger than the vinegar by itself. I have been drinking apple cider vinegar everyday by itself..straight up. I tried to do it with this stuff...and

WOW!!! I now add it to a tiny 1/4 C. of my morning green smoothie and then drink it down!

This REALLY will help you, with everything else you are doing, to not get sick...Give it a try! Just don't let your kids think it is apple juice...cause that is what it looks like, especially in the jar I have!