Thieves Blend
This is a recipe that’s been around for centuries. Its name came about as many of the grave robbers would apply this to their hands before robbing the graves of those who died from the plague, some how seeming to keep themselves healthy and plague free.
I can’t guarantee any sort of immunity to the plague with this of course, but what we do know is that the herbs and ingredients in this recipe have many antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Any medicinal food taken regularly (if in alignment with your body), has the ability to gently strengthen and bolster your system. A small thing, but we do know that many small things, done over time, make a significant difference.
The classic formula includes 4 ingredients (hence the name): Sage, mint and rosemary and thyme.
I’m including recipes for vinegars which you can take internally, as well an essential oil blend that you can use topically or to purify the air etc.
I’ve included two different vinegar recipes, just showing you the variations that are possible. So if you don’t have all the ingredients, or you really don’t care for the taste of one, you can modify with some of the other ingredients as all of the below have some of the helpful healing properties we are looking for!
You can
Classic:
¼ cup of fresh chopped peppermint,
¼ cup of fresh rosemary,
¼ cup of fresh thyme, and
¼ cup of fresh sage leaves*
4 cloves fresh crushed garlic
2 cups of apple cider vinegar
A pint sized mason jar with a lid.
Directions:
Strip the herbs from their stems and roughly chop them. You want to smell the herbs but don’t worry about chopping them too finely
Crush, chop or press the garlic
Place the herbs and crushed garlic into the mason jar.
Add enough vinegar to fully cover the herbs fully fill the jar.
Refrigerate or leave in a cool place for 5 to 7 days then strain the liquid into a clean glass jar. Discard the herbs and voila! You have yourself some thieves vinegar.
This can be used in salad dressings, as a morning elixir with warm water and honey (this is also great for moving Liver energy in Eastern Medicine, so wonderful if you’re feeling a bit irritable or pent up from being at home for too long!) or straight up as a drinking vinegar shot. Just a note that vinegar is hard on tooth enamel so be mindful to brush your teeth after taking to prevent any erosion. About 1 tbsp is plenty to take daily.
Thieves vinegar Variation
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fresh lavender, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped*
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh marjoram, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh anise, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
½ teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
4 whole cloves, crushed
raw apple cider vinegar
You’ll also need a pint mason jar with a lid for this one.
Strip the herbs from their stems and roughly chop them. You want to smell the herbs but don’t worry about chopping them too finely
Crush, chop or press the garlic
Place the herbs and crushed garlic and rest of the ingredients into the mason jar.
Add enough vinegar to fully cover the herbs fully fill the jar.
Refrigerate or leave in a cool place for 5 to 7 days then strain the liquid into a clean glass jar. Sometimes I will do another round of vinegar with the same herbs or use them in cooking to get a milder, but still tasty version.
Modifications:
Drink
Add a tbsp to warm water and drinking with raw honey**
This is great for soothing a sore dry throat and the vinegar is helpful for moving energy which is good for helping circulation and calming stress and anxiety
Dressing
2 TBS of the Four Thieves
2 TBS plain apple cider vinegar
¼-1/3 cup of olive oil
1 tsp tahini or grainy mustard
salt and black pepper ti taste
1 tsp raw honey**
Shake and pour over steamed greens, a warm salad, rice or fresh greens
*Avoid sage in concentrated doses If you’re pregnant , and don’t use this as a tonic – just use it in cooking occasionally as a salad dressing ingredient
Sage can also dry things so be mindful if breastfeeding as it may contribute to drying milk if taken in large doses
** avoid raw honey if pregnant or for children under 6 years old and opt for pasteurised instead
