According to legend, during one of the many plague epidemics in France in the 17th century, a group of four thieves managed to loot the homes of plague victims without ever becoming infected themselves. When they were finally captured, they were offered a reduced sentence in exchange for the secret of their resistance to the disease.
Their secret lay in a vinegar infused with various herbs and spices, which the thieves applied to their bodies and ingested. This mixture protected them from miasmas and infections. The exact ingredients of the four thieves vinegar vary according to accounts, but generally include garlic, rosemary, lavender, sage, mint, thyme, and wine vinegar.
This formula became famous for its antiseptic and immune-boosting properties, and it was used as a popular remedy against various ailments, especially during epidemics. Today, four thieves vinegar is sometimes used in aromatherapy, as a natural cleaning product, and of course as a powerful blend in magical rituals.
