Everything you need to know about the 4 thieves vinegar
A natural immune booster, the vinegar of the 4 thieves is an ancestral remedy discovered during the plague epidemics. Discover without further delay its history, its benefits as well as its recipe!
The story of the 4 thieves vinegar
In 1628, an epidemic of the Black Death hit the city of Toulouse, one of the deadliest. During this period, a group of bandits pillaged houses and robbed victims without ever being contaminated.
Caught in the act and questioned about the secret of their resistance, they then revealed their secret in order to escape a heavy sentence. They drank and rubbed their bodies, hands and faces daily with a potion. The secret of these traditional remedies : a simple maceration of plants and spices in vinegar.
The story repeats itself in 1720 when the city of Marseille is hit by the great plague. Another group of bandits uses the same recipe to plunder the victims.
As proof of its effectiveness, the precious recipe was thus revealed to the general public and then registered in the pharmacopoeia in 1748. Until 1884, pharmacists prescribed it as a natural antiseptic for external use.
Crossing the ages, the vinegar of the 4 thieves still contributes today to strengthening natural defenses and fighting against harmful micro-organisms, but not only that... One thing is certain, the vinegar of the 4 thieves lives up to its name!
What is this beauty and health elixir made of?
The organic 4 thieves vinegar , thanks to its composition rich in plants and spices with antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties, offers a powerful antiseptic effect. Ingredients such as garlic, lavender, and thyme contribute to this effect. They are also very fragrant, which gives them marked organoleptic properties .
The components of this vinegar can be classified into several groups according to their therapeutic effects:
- Antiseptic herbs like camphor and cinnamon which also help fight bacterial and fungal infections;
- Tonic and fortifying plants such as mint and rosemary, which stimulate and invigorate the body;
- Analgesic plants such as cloves, which are useful for relieving pain;
- Deworming and purifying plants such as garlic, effective in eliminating parasites and purifying the body.
These plants also have other interesting properties, such as healing properties for lavender or digestive properties for mint, which makes the vinegar of the 4 thieves a versatile and effective supplement .
The benefits of 4 thieves vinegar
Natural barrier against infections
The 4 thieves vinegar strengthens the immune system and helps fight against contagious diseases (flu, etc.). It also protects against respiratory tract infections: tonsillitis, colds, sore throats, etc. It will also treat oral problems such as mycoses, gingivitis and aphthous stomatitis or promote good oral hygiene.
Recognized antiparasitic and antiseptic
Nothing can resist it, not even parasites such as lice or nits. Simply coat your entire head of hair with vinegar, paying particular attention to the scalp, and leave it on for several hours. Repeat this treatment for 2 to 3 days until the parasites have disappeared. A wound? An insect bite? Apply the vinegar to disinfect superficial wounds or to soothe itching caused by bites.
Natural stimulant
The vinegar of the 4 thieves has purifying, energizing and detoxifying properties which will help in cases of fatigue or weakness.
Beneficial for the skin
You can also use it pure or diluted on the skin on a cotton pad or even a damp washcloth to:
- Disinfect shallow wounds (cuts, acne, scratches)
- Clean sensitive skin (soften bath water, treat chickenpox or even mycoses or corns) and soothe sunburn
- Soothe itching (especially eczema)
- Promote healing
Beneficial for hair
The vinegar of the 4 thieves can also be used for hair and not only against lice. Lack of shine and volume? Apply it as a lotion, directly after rinsing. It also acts as a scalp sanitizer and is effective against dandruff and oily hair.
What are the other uses of 4 thieves vinegar?
To maintain the house
The 4 thieves vinegar can also be used to maintain your home . By spraying, soaking or rubbing, it disinfects and sanitizes your bathrooms, household appliances, carpets, etc.
For animals
Our little four-legged friends are also affected by itching or insect bites , so you can use it as a compress. But not only that! It deodorizes the hair and restores its shine. To do this, apply it as a mist or lotion on the coat, avoiding sensitive areas: mucous membranes, eyes, ears, nose, etc. Cats may be more sensitive because of its smell.
How and when to use the elixir of the 4 thieves?
The vinegar of the 4 thieves is often used as a preventative before winter to strengthen the immune system against seasonal diseases. It is advisable to start a cure at the beginning of autumn, unless there is a medical contraindication.
For preventive use, it is recommended to dilute 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water and consume this mixture once a day for the duration of the treatment. To combat an active infection (such as a cold), the dose can be increased to 3 tablespoons per day, always diluted in water.
For external use, vinegar can be diluted with 2 parts water to treat wounds, relieve pain or treat skin conditions such as eczema. This diluted solution can also be used as a gargle for throat problems or as a hair lotion to strengthen hair. For inhalations, adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a bowl of warm water can help clear the airways.
Are there any contraindications?
To date, there are no known side effects related to the use of 4 thieves vinegar at the recommended doses, except in cases of allergy to one of the plants used in its composition. However, it is prudent to consult a doctor before starting to use it.
Ingestion of 4 thieves vinegar may be inappropriate for people with ulcers or gastrointestinal irritations due to the acidity of the solution. It is also not recommended for children under 7 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as people with severe heart conditions.
Additionally, due to the presence of ingredients such as thyme, garlic, and rosemary, 4 thieves vinegar could interact with medications that affect blood viscosity. It is therefore important to check for possible interactions with your current treatment.
To summarize, the benefits of thieves' vinegar are numerous. It can notably:
- Strengthen immune defenses;
- Detoxify;
- Have effectiveness on the respiratory tract;
- Disinfects the epidermis and soothes itching;
- Relieve insect bites;
- Cleanse the scalp;
- Have a natural anti-lice and parasite action;
- Disinfect and sanitize the house.
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