I shared my homemade chewable vitamin recipe for kids (or adults) in the past and while that is definitely the crowd favorite at our house, I also wanted to share my herbal liquid vitamin recipe.
This recipe is basically an herbal tincture made with certain high-nutrient herbs to create a liquid multi-vitamin. It can easily be customized and can be for children or adults. I also make a pregnancy specific one that I will be sharing soon.
The process of making an herbal multivitamin tincture is the same process used to make any herbal tincture, but the specific herbs are high nutrient and make an excellent vitamin. Please note that you should do your own research and/or consult a doctor before taking any herbs or giving them to children!
Why A Liquid Vitamin?
Like I said, my kids prefer the chewable/gummy vitamins, which are also a great source of gelatin, but this tincture contains a higher concentration of some vitamins and minerals from the herbs, and is more concentrated. A person only needs a tiny amount of this tincture to get a good dose of vitamins/minerals, making it useful during illness or when it is hard to keep food down (early pregnancy, etc).
Homemade herbal multivitamins are also an inexpensive way to get necessary vitamins and minerals without the additives and fillers that are often found in commercial vitamins. Since the minerals are coming from natural plant sources (the herbs) they are more likely to be in balance than synthetic versions and their natural synergism helps increase absorption.
If made correctly, herbal vitamin tinctures can also taste great and be an easy way to get little ones to take vitamins!
The Herbs
It is very important to research and only use herbs that can be safely taken long term when making a tincture that will be taken regularly (especially by children). I’ve shared my own recipe below, but I strongly encourage you to do your own research and determine the best herbs for your family before making this or any other herbal recipe!
The Herbs I use are:
- Alfalfa
- Red Raspberry Leaf
- Dandelion Leaf
- Stevia (optional-for taste)
I chose these specific herbs for a reason…
Alfalfa is often called “nature’s multivitamin” for its high concentration of many vitamins and minerals. Most notably, it contains eight essential amino acids, Vitamin K and has the highest chlorophyll content of any plant (which is why I also use it in my pregnancy tea).
Red Raspberry Leaf is one of my favorite herbs, and I take it during the latter half of my pregnancies. It contains B-Vitamins, Vitamins C, E and A, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It is a favorite for pregnant women for its ability to tone the uterus and make labor easier (and I wonder if this is due to its magnesium content, as magnesium was extremely helpful to me during pregnancy).
Dandelion leaf is also very high in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. It is the same type of dandelion that grows as a weed in your backyard, and its root, leaves and even flowers can be used in many ways! Dandelion leaf is said to be great for the digestive system, liver, pancreas gall-bladder and circulatory system.
Stevia is simply used for taste, and I’ve also used peppermint leaf in the past for the kids, but prefer not to use large amount of this during pregnancy or in very small children, so I usually leave it out of the multivitamin tincture.
How to Make A Liquid Multivitamin Tincture
As I explained in a previous post:
“To make a tincture, you will need the following supplies:
- A clean glass jar (at least pint size) with lid
- Consumable alcohol like vodka or rum- at least 80 proof (or apple cider vinegar or food grade vegetable glycerine)
- Herbs of choice
Multivitamin Tincture Instructions
Gather the herbs you will use to make the tincture. For our herbal multivitamin, I use:
- 3 parts Alfalfa
- 2 parts Red Raspberry Leaf
- 2 parts Dandelion Leaf
- 1 part Stevia (optional-for taste)
I mix in whatever quantity needed, usually 1 part=1/4 cup, or by weight 1 part=1 ounce.
Fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger tincture. Do not pack down.
Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. (This step is optional but helps to draw out the beneficial properties of the herbs)
Fill the rest of the jar (or the entire jar if not using hot water too) with alcohol and stir with a clean spoon.
Put the lid on the jar. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months. (I usually leave herbs for six weeks)
Strain through cheesecloth and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in colored dropper bottles or clean glass jars.
NOTE: The alcohol can be evaporated before use (see below) or a tincture can be made in the same way using apple cider vinegar, though it will need to be stored in the fridge and will only last 3-6 months… and it will not be as palatable!
Glycerine Tincture
Fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger tincture. Do not pack down.
Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. (This step is optional but helps to draw out the beneficial properties of the herbs)
Fill the rest of the jar (or the entire jar if not using hot water too) with glycerine and stir with a clean spoon.
Put the lid on the jar.
Place a wash cloth or silicon baking mat (to keep jar from breaking) in the bottom of a crock pot with a “keep warm” or very low setting. Fill the crock pot up with water to cover 3/4 of the jar (don’t cover the lid!) and turn on the lowest setting.
Keep in slow-cooker/crock pot for at least 1 day on this setting, adding water as needed (I’ve done up to three days).
Let cool, strain and use as a regular tincture.
Note: Glycerine tinctures are sweeter and not considered as strong as alcohol tinctures! Be careful when buying glycerine to make sure that it is food grade and not made from Corn (often GMO!)
How Much to Take?
The standard adult dose we take is 1 teaspoon up to three times a day as needed (or 1 tablespoon in the morning). Kids usually get 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per day)
For children, pregnant women, or those not wanting to consume alcohol, it can be poured in to a hot liquid like tea to evaporate the alcohol before consuming.”
Other Options
When I haven’t had the time or supplies to make a tincture, I’ve also used the same herbal combination to make a basic infusion instead or added the dried herbs to smoothies.
To make an infusion, I pour 1/2 gallon of boiling water over 1 cup of the herb mixture, cover and leave overnight to steep. For smoothies, I add 1 tablespoon of the dried herb powder to smoothies. Note that neither of these will be as strong as a tincture!
Ever made herbal vitamins? What did you use? Share below!
Pregnancy Stretch Marks Salve
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I Just graduated as well, But we learnt that a tincture in alcohol will kill the vitamins and concentrate the minerals, Best to do in cider vinegar if you want the vitamins.
Where did you just graduate from? I’m not doubting you, I just want to ask my teacher with a source!
I really like this idea. I like making large amounts of single tinctures – it would also be easy to make each ingredient a separate tincture and then combine as you like. That way you can have some different combinations.
Love the idea of an herbal multivitamin. I’m curious about dosages, though. You recommened 1-3 tsp. But how can you know the vitamin content? Yes, these herbs contain various minerals and vitamins, but how much are you getting in a tsp.? Does it have 2 mg. of calcium?…20 mg.?…200 mg.? Obviously, it will vary, but I’m wondering if anyone has done any testing for at least an estimate of the vitamin content of a tincture like this. I’ve no doubt it’s good for you, but say I’m wanting to take something like this in place of a prenatal vitamin, how can I know how much vitamins I’m getting from these herbs?
This would depend on the herb to menstrum ratio used. There are conversion charts on the internet.
I think in the last paragraph, last line “Note that neither of these will be as strong as an infusion!” You wanted to say it is NOT as strong as a TINCTURE! You may want to correct that line.
Thanks! Fixed it.
you are welcome, i will use this tincture recipe in my herbal store to help people stay healthy. Dee
Hi Katie! With the addition of nettle and peppermint (the latter for taste), this was the tea mixture I used throughout my pregnancies! Wish I’d thought of making it a tincture, as there were days when it was hard to get 2-3 cups into me!
I’ve been reading alot lately about another nutritional powerhouse, moringa. I’m wondering if you have used moringa and if it might be a good alternative to the alfalfa.
You could definitely add it…
I grow moringa .. we use it in our tinctures and stuff like that. If you can find it fresh (it grows pretty much only in the island and places like brazil that don’t have winters) It makes a great salad!
you can grow Moringa as an annual in places all over North America, you may want to start it in January inside, and transplant to the garden as soon as all danger of frost is gone.
Is wheatgrass comparable to alfalfa and does it matter if it’s expired if it hasn’t been opened?
I just graduated from an herb school and we were taught that most of the nutrients in these herbs are not alcohol or glycerin soluble. It makes sense to dampen them with water because that’s what they are soluble in but might be better to make a vitamin syrup. What do you think?
I would like an answer on this, too. Please. 🙂
I love to take my multivitamin herbs in tea or vinegar form! I haven’t heard what you learned. In fact I’m shocked!
I’m also studying herbalism, and tinctures can be great for their medicinal benefits. Like St.Johns wort for fighting depression for example, but tinctures are not at all nutritional.
If you want to use herbs for nutrition and nourishment, you might want to look into herbal infusions or if you want to make a concentrated dose of minerals try a herbal vinegar.
Infused oils are best for topical use.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I am curious about how to make a vitamin syrup. I tend to avoid alcohol as well as vinegar.
You are absolutely right. Vitamins and minerals are not extracted in alcohol or water but in acidic solvents like vinegar. Reason why you’ll find bone broth recipes include a tablespoon of ACV, to help with th extraction. This is more a medicinal treatment than nutritional.
I was taught this too, and make my vitamin tincture from ACV.
I’m so excited to see your post about your multi vitamin tincture. I’ve made a multi vit tincture with glycerine but let it set for 6 weeks in a cabinet. In your opinion, is there a difference in letting it sit in the crock pot for a shorter amount of time, than letting it set for 6 weeks. Also, can the alcohol evaporate off if you let it sit out for a bit before taking it? I’ve read that before, too. There is just so much information out there!!!
Hi Katie! Awesome post! I have a quick question. Would this be ok on top of daily multi vitamins? I am not sure how much I am absorbing anyways. I usually have a daily cup of alfalfa/red raspberry/nettle/green tea. Maybe take out a dose of the tincture in place of the tea? Also would red clover be a good one to add for vitamins? Thanks and love your blog!
Red clover is pretty detoxing! I’d try it out in small doses first.
I have used red clover tincture and tea before on a regular basis very safely. The only concern with Red clover is it can lower blood pressure a bit. I found also that the medicinal effects are most noticeable if extracted in water. So maybe a honey, vinegar, or glycerine extraction would be best.
For all of the herbs, do you use the Leaf form or the powdered form from Mountain Rose?
Also, is the Oatstraw crossed out because you don’t use that anymore? I notice it’s not in the main list.
I love this idea and can’t wait to make some. Any suggestions on books/websites to do our own research on what herbs may be best for us like you suggested?
I use the leaf form, but powdered works too… I used to use oat straw, but it does contain gluten so we now don’t use it… Practical Herbalism is a great book (planning to review it soon)…
Great post! I had no idea you could use ACV instead of alcohol if you keep it in the fridge. So if you use powdered herbs, you can’t really strain it right? Do you just leave it in? I am also wondering about adding a couple of vitamin powders my son needs so I am trying to figure out how to do that!
You can strain with the powders, but you’ll need severe layers of cheesecloth… You can add the vitamin powders after it is strained…
If you’re using powders I’d recommend using nut butters/honey as a medium! My favorite sandwich spreads are all chock full of herbal powders!
Interesting! Do you taste them very much?
Nah. That’s why I use butters and honey, to mask the taste! I mean brandy can mask the taste in a tincture, but it’s still a tincture. I get to eat this version! Check out rosemary Gladstar’s books for recipes 🙂
You mentioned one part is basically equal to ¼C or 1 oz but 1 oz of everything but the dandelion is way more than ¼C. So do I go with ounces or ¼C?
I don’t know how to post my own comment, so I’m replying to this one. Sorry. Can you make tinctures out of sprouts? Seems like a good idea to me, but I need some advice. I’m hooked on tinctures. I never thought of combining different herbs, so thanks a million for the vitamin tincture article and recipe.