Four Thieves Infused vinegar

Written By Christen Walcher

In our kitchens and bathrooms, replacing chemical-laden cleaning products with all-natural, homemade remedies can improve our indoor air quality and reduce our exposure to toxins, while saving us money, smelling wonderful, and cleaning effectively at the same time.

There are many recipes out there for ‘Four Thieves’ vinegars and oils. My kids loved the legendary story of the four thieves who would rob the graves of the wealthy victims of the black plague, outwitting the disease with their secret herbal potion. There lots of options for ingredients, so I concocted one from herbs and spices I already had at home fresh rosemary, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, dried eucalyptus leaves, and lemon zest.

I added all of the ingredients to a clean mason jar and topped with plain white vinegar.

I let is sit for a month in a dark spot and now it is ready to pour into a spray bottle. It smells wonderful!

I strained out the ingredients into a fresh mason jar. Then, I mixed a solution of half vinegar half water into my empty spray bottle. Ready for action!

spray bottle with vinegar

Recipe: Four Thieves Vinegar

Ingredients:

  • Zest from 1 lemon

  • 1t whole cloves

  • 2-3 dried eucalyptus leaves

  • 2 cinnamon sticks

  • 1 sprig (appx. 3”) fresh rosemary

  • 16 oz white vinegar

Steps:

  • Add all ingredients to clean mason jar

  • Fill jar to top with vinegar

  • Store in dark spot for one moon cycle, shaking occasionally to mix

  • Strain vinegar into another clean mason jar, discard remaining ingredients

  • Mix 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water solution in spray bottle

Christen Walcher