DIY Liquid Multivitamin

     I grew up in the era of Flintstones Multivitamins, and while taking your vitamins is a great daily routine. Just how good are those vitamin supplements? Some can be really good and effective, others not so much. One of my major hangups about supplements is that I'm not sure what process the herb/vitamin goes through before it becomes that little pill. So why not make it myself so I know 100% what goes in it, and can tweak it for any special needs that come up?

A Word on Ingredients:

Each of the ingredients I've chosen for these recipes has several different benefits. They're all powerhouses nutritionally, but they also add a bit more than just nutrition. Some of the following herbs are not included in specific recipes, but are really good to think about adding into yours.

      

Alfalfa Medicago sativa is most famously known as livestock feed. However, it's used in this manner because of it's high concentration of nutrients. Alfalfa contains a wide variety of minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements. It is also a good source of vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and super important towards the end of pregnancy. It also contains essential amino acids that are not made by the body but must be obtained from food sources. Medicinally, alfalfa is often used to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. Its high concentration of alkaloids make it useful in reducing blood sugar levels and it is also commonly used as a blood purifier as well as for any types of arthritis or joint problems. One major caution, however, alfalfa is not safe to use in combination with blood thinning agents or medications as it is so effective it can interfere or amplify the effects of these. 

Catnip Nepeta cataria makes most cats go a bit crazy. However it's super beneficial for cats, dogs, and even humans. In ancient times, it was believed to be a remedy for insanity. This is due to it's soothing and calming effect. In animals, catnip has a strong sedative effect, yes, even on your crazy cat (just think about what your cat does after going nuts...sleep!).  It's also used to help calm the nerves, reduce anxiety, reduce menstrual cramps, sooth the stomach, and relieve headaches.  Catnip is also a great antiviral herb that helps to reduce fever. As a member of the mint family, this herb has a whole host of nutritional value. One of it's most concentrated nutrients is Folic Acid, which is helpful for women, children, and unborn children.

Chamomile Matricaria recutita is a great herb for so many reasons. It helps sooth the stomach and nerves. It helps the body move through fevers faster. It's great for children, and as an added bonus, it tastes great! Chamomile is a bitter herb (you'll taste the bitterness if you steep it too long) and all bitter herbs help aid in digestion. So it's a great herb to add to any formula that you use prior to eating. Chamomile has been tested extensively and science has backed quite a few of the traditional uses of this herb, especially it's use as an antipeptic, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-allergenic. 

Dandelion Leaf Taraxacum officinale is often despised as a weed, but it's full of amazing properties. It's a traditional salad green and pot herb. Packed full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B6, C, and K, one can see why traditional cultures would search out this abundant food. It's also a very beneficial herb for liver health, helping reduce oxidative stress in the liver and suppress fat accumulation.

Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra (or G. uralensis) is one of those flavors that you either love or hate. But no one can doubt the natural sweetness that it contains. That's why it's such a good herb for children. Adding licorice to an herbal formula, quite often, makes it more palatable for kids, so that you have an easier time getting them to actually take their medicine. It does have some nutritional value, but I mainly added it to these recipes for the flavor and additional benefits. It's an amazing little adaptogen, helping one to better deal with stress and adapt to stressful situations.

Mint Mentha spp. covers a whole host of beneficial herbs. They all have the same uses and similar nutritional profiles. They help to calm the stomach and nerves, fight diseases, and relieve upper-respiratory issues. It's also a great catalyst, helping move other herbs and nutrients throughout your system more efficiently. 

Mullein Verbascum spp. is the name for over 300 species of medicinal plants. This herb is commonly used for upper-respiratory issues and illness. It's also a common treatment for earaches. However it's also packed full of amazing nutrients including proteins, beneficial fats, and flavonoids. It's also safe for children.

Nettle Urtica dioica is an herb I call upon almost daily. It's so useful for so many reasons, not to mention it's a tasty green. In my home, we use nettle to help reduce our allergy symptoms, reduce joint stiffness and pain, to prevent anemia, lower blood pressure, tone kidneys, and break down any kidney or gall stones that may be developing. I put this herb in every one of my nutritive teas and tinctures for all of these reasons, but especially for it's nutritional value. Nettle contains calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, iron, sulfur, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and quite a bit of protein.

Oatstraw Avena sativa is a whole body tonic. It's super beneficial to just about every organ and system in the human body. But it's also super packed full of nutrients that we don't always get a lot of from our food. Oatstraw is an excellent source of magnesium and chromium, an important mineral for maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. It’s also a good source of calcium, vitamin A, niacin, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, and vitamin C. And even better, all the nutrients contained in this little herb are super easy for the body to absorb, digest, and use. 

Red Clover Trifolium pratense is full of benefits for everyone, but especially for women. It helps with hormone issues associated with menstration, early pregnancy, and menopause. However, it's also an important herb for men as it helps prevent prostate problems such as BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) and even prostate cancer. Red clover is also a source of many valuable nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. 

Red Raspberry Leaf Rubus spp. has been used throughout history to help aid in pregnancy and labor. This herb is one of my favorite herbs to use for women, helping balance female hormones, increase fertility, and tone the uterus. It regulates menstrual cycles, reduce cramps, PMS, and other symptoms that come with irregular menses. Raspberry leaves also help relieve respiratory infections, strengthen the intestines, and help speed the healing of minor wounds. Nutritionally, red raspberry leaves contain iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, niacin, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin C, and vitamin E. 

Pygeum Pygeum africanum is an herb from Southern and Central Africa. This plumb tree is actually used more for it's bark than it's fruit, being used for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), boosting fertility, preventing urinary tract infections (UTI), and reducing inflammation. It's also used to help treat and prevent age related issues that some men have, such as male pattern baldness. 

Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens is well known as a male herb, helping to balance testosterone levels and prevent BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia). It's also super nutritious, being packed full of vitamins and minerals. 

Spirulina Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima is a blue-green algae that is being studied for quite a few of its actions recently. First off, it helps control candida, helping to prevent and treat yeast infections. It's also a great herb to use to help detox heavy metals, being shown to be especially potent against Arsenic. Spirulina is also great for the circulatory system, helping to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and reduce the chance of stroke. It provides a bit of an energy boost, making it a great choice to add to your morning routine. It also helps to improve memory and brain function. While all of this is amazing, the number one reason I include this in so many of my recipes is for it's nutritional value. Spriulia contains copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, phosphorous, calcium, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin A. 

Turmeric Curcuma longa is a great herb for just about everyone. It's anti-inflammatory, antiviral, helps aid digestion, and full of beneficial nutrients. Turmeric contains good amounts of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium. It's also super rich in vitamin C.

Basic Multivitamin Tincture

2 parts Nettle Leaf

2 parts Alfalfa Leaf

1 part Oatstraw

½ part Mint

Alcohol Preparation Instructions:

Combine herbs in a 16oz mason jar, fill the jar about ½ way with the herbs. Cover, and fill the jar, with alcohol. Label and leave in a dark, cool place for 6 weeks. Make sure to shake it once a day. After 6 weeks, strain out the solids and enjoy your liquid multivitamin. 

Glycerin Preparation Instructions:

Combine herbs in a 16oz mason jar, fill the jar about ½ way with the herbs. Cover, and fill the jar, with glycerin. Put the lid on the jar. Place a wash cloth, or silicone baking mat on the bottom of a crock pot (crock pot must have a “keep warm” or “Very Low” setting), place the jar on top of the cloth/mat. Fill the crock pot up about ¾ of the way (or about ½ inch under the lid of the jar) with water. Turn the crock pot on it's lowest setting and allow to stay there for at least 1 day (up to 3), adding more water if needed. Strain and enjoy!

Overnight Infusion Option:

Instead of making a tincture, you can use the same herbs in an overnight infusion. Combine the herbs in a 16oz mason jar, fill the jar about ½ way with the herbs. Cover, and fill jar with boiling water. Seal the jar and allow to sit, in room temperature, 8-12 hours or overnight. Enjoy the next day!

This basic recipe can be altered simply by either reducing the amount of one or two of the herbs and adding in whichever other herbs you desire, or using the basic recipe as a starter and adding in the additional herbs on top of it. Here are a few alternative recipes I use as an example. All the instructions are the same so I'm only sharing the ingredients.

Women's Daily/Prenatal Vitamin

2 parts Nettle Leaf

1 part Alfalfa Leaf

1 part Red Raspberry Leaf

1 part Red Clover

½ part Oatstraw

½ part Mint

Men's Daily/Prostate Health 

2 parts Nettle Leaf

1 part Alfalfa Leaf

1 part Saw Palmetto

1 part Pygeum

½ part Oatstraw

½ part Mint

Children's Daily Vitamin

2 parts Nettle Leaf

2 parts Alfalfa Leaf

1 part Mullein

1 part Red Raspberry Leaf

½ part Oatstraw

½ part Licorice (or Chamomile if your child hates Licorice like I did)

Healthy Pets Dog/Cat Multivitamin

2 parts Nettle Leaf

1 part Catnip Leaf

1 part Dandelion Leaf

½ part Turmeric

I hope this vitamin recipe helps improve your daily routine. Feel free to do some research and add in whatever herbs you feel would help you and your family. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!

Resources:

7 Benefits of Pygeum: Organic Facts: https://www.organicfacts.net/pygeum-benefits.html 

Alfalfa Benefits & Uses: Wellnessmama: https://wellnessmama.com/188/alfalfa-herb-profile/ 

Best Herbs for Prostate Health: Healthfully: https://healthfully.com/34518-herbs-prostate-health.html 

Catnip Herb: Alternative Nature Online Herbal: https://learnaboutherbs.com/gallery/catnip.htm 

Chamomile Benefits: Herb Wisdom: https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html 

Licorice Root Benefits: Herbs with Rosalee: https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/licorice-root-benefits.html 

Mint- Medicinal Uses: Mother Earth Living: https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/herbs-for-health-medicinal-mint 

Mullein- The Medicinal Herb that Fights Infections & Inflammation: Dr. Axe: https://draxe.com/mullein/ 

Nutrition of Stinging Nettle: Livestrong: https://www.livestrong.com/article/350785-stinging-nettles-nutrition/

Oatstraw- Stress Reliever, Love Potion, Brain Booster, and More: GrowNetwork: https://thegrownetwork.com/oatstraw-benefits/ 

Red Clover Benefits: Herb Wisdom: https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-red-clover.html 

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: Dr. Mercola: https://articles.mercola.com/teas/red-raspberry-leaf-tea.aspx

Saw Palmetto Benefits the Prostate & Stops Hair Loss: Dr. Axe: https://draxe.com/saw-palmetto-benefits/ 

Spirulina Benefits: Dr. Axe: https://draxe.com/spirulina-benefits/ 

Turmeric Nutrition and Benefits: Nutrition and You: https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/turmeric.html 

What Are the Benefits of Organic Dandelion Leaf?: Global Healing Center: https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-are-benefits-of-organic-dandelion-leaf/ 

Saw Palmetto

     There are quite a few herbs that come with reputations. Many of them are well earned, Saw Palmetto is one. It has a reputation for being a great herb for men, and it certainly is. However, it's also great for women in certain conditions.

     Living in Central Florida, you can't help but find Saw Palmetto, Serenoa serrulata or Serenoa repens, just about everywhere. They are a staple food for much of Florida's native wildlife, including bears. This is why we keep having bear problems in the neighborhoods around Central Florida, in order to build the neighborhoods, we had to destroy acres of Saw Palmetto growth. The bears come back to these pieces of land year, after year, looking for their favorite food, and all they find is a neighborhood full of humans and their waste. We've traded a healthy food source for them, for an unhealthy dependence on humans and trash.

     Saw Palmetto can also be a decent food source for us. Not only are the berries edible, but Saw Palmetto is an alternative source of hearts of palm. The Cabbage Palm (also known as Sable Palm, and happens to be Florida's state tree) has a very tasty “heart,” but you have to kill the young tree in order to harvest. Cabbage Palm is now protected, which makes it illegal to harvest this tasty “heart.” However, Saw Palmetto leaf stalks can be harvested without harming the plant, and they taste virtually the same as heart of palm. It is a rough process, but heart of palm is so tasty and is a great addition to salads. Here are a couple of good videos about harvesting Saw Palmetto berries and hearts.

Eat the Weeds Episode 48

How to Eat Saw Palmetto

     But back to the benefits. Saw Palmetto has gained a great reputation for helping men with prostate problems, hair loss, and other age related issues. While it does boost testosterone levels, it is also great for women who are dealing with hormonal issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and menopause. It also helps strengthen the urinary organs, and helps protect the prostate. This makes Saw Palmetto a great herb to help prevent some of the effects of aging.

Medicinal Uses:

Summary of Actions- Reproductive tonic (male and female), Adaptogen, Anabolic agent, Endocrine agent, Urinary antiseptic, Sedative, Anti-inflammatory, Ati-catarrhal, Expectorant, Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Antispasmodic, Diuretic

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-

Known in TCM as Ju Ye Zong, Saw Palmetto is used much in the same way as in Western herbalism. In Chinese Medicine, Saw Palmetto works most directly on the kidney and lung meridians. It boosts Jing, tonifies Kidney Qi, reduces inflammation (especially of the sexual and urinary organs), expels phlegm, and supports Lung Qi.

Ayurveda-

While Saw Palmetto is native to the West Indies and America, specifically on the East Coast from the Carolinas down to Florida, it is gaining a huge reputation in other countries as well. Ayurvedic medicine has taken up the use of this herb in much the same way it's used in the Western Traditions, for helping keep the prostate healthy and reduce some of the effects of aging.

Prostate Health-

One of the leading concerns of men, as they age, is prostate health. Prostate cancer is a huge part of that concern, and it seems to be connected to enlargement of the prostate. Saw Palmetto helps prevent the enlargement of the prostate, helping to keep the prostate healthy and decreasing the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Testosterone Levels and Hair Loss-

Saw Palmetto helps to balance testosterone levels. It also helps to block the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the primary cause of hair loss, hair thinning, and baldness.

Urological System-

Saw Palmetto is useful to help reduce inflammation in the urological system. It helps keep the kidneys healthy, reducing the formation of kidney stones, and helps reduce frequent urination. Some studies also show that Saw Palmetto can help treat bladder disease.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)-

PCOS drastically effects a woman's hormones, causing quite a few health problems including infertility, trouble loosing weight, and the development of cysts in the ovaries. Saw Palmetto helps balance hormones, reducing the symptoms of PCOS, and helping to prevent certain health conditions associated with this particular hormone imbalance.

Menopause-

During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, however testosterone levels remain the same. Saw Palmetto helps to reduce testosterone levels, helping to ease quite a few of the menopausal symptoms associated with this imbalance. Saw Palmetoo also helps to prevent the weakening of vaginal and uterine tissues.

Acne and Hirsutism-

Acne is often associated with changing hormone levels in adolescents. However it can also be caused, later in life, by other hormones such as testosterone. Hirsutism is a condition where women grow hair in unusual places, such as on their face. This is also typically caused by excessive testosterone levels. Saw palmetto can help minimize the amount of testosterone produced by women which can help reduce acne and unwanted hair growth.

Cautions and Warnings-

Saw Palmetto may interact negatively with certain medications. Always consult with your doctor while taking any herbal supplements. There are also a few side effects that may occur while taking Saw Palmetto supplements. These may include dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Saw Palmetto should not be given to prepubescent children as there is some question about it triggering early puberty symptoms. Saw Palmetto should also be avoided during pregnancy and breast feeding.

     I only included a basic introduction to this amazing herb. I hope you have learned a new appreciation for saw palmetto. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

Refrences:

6 Benefits of Saw Palmetto for Women and Side Effects: Thealth: https://www.thealthbenefitsof.com/benefits-of-saw-palmetto-for-women/

7 Impressive Health Benefits of Saw Palmetto: Organic Facts: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/saw-palmetto.html

Saw Palmetto: Annie's Remedy: https://www.anniesremedy.com/serenoa-serrulata-saw-palmetto.php

Saw Palmetto: Ask Dr. Mao: http://www.askdrmao.com/natural-health-dictionary/saw-palmetto/

Saw Palmetto: Planet Ayurveda: http://www.planetayurveda.com/saw-palmetto-capsules.html

Saw Palmetto-Effective Herb for Prostate Gland: Dr. Vikram Chauhan: http://www.drvikram.com/saw-palmetto.php

Saw Palmetto (Ju Ye Zong): White Rabbit Institute of Healing: https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/saw-palmetto/

Saw Palmetto (serenoa serrulata): Acupuncture Today: http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral/sawpalmetto.php

Saw Palmetto Benefits: Nutritional Medicine: https://drsarahbrewer.com/herbs/saw-palmetto

Saw Palmetto Benefits the Prostate & Stops Hair Loss: Dr. Axe: https://draxe.com/saw-palmetto-benefits/

Serenoa Repens: The Naturopathic Herbalist: https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/r-s/serenoa-repens/

Top 6 Benefits of Saw Palmetto for Women: Doctors Health Press: https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/womens-health/top-6-benefits-of-saw-palmetto-for-women/

Using Saw Palmetto on Women: New Kids-Center: http://www.newkidscenter.com/Saw-Palmetto-for-Women.html