Children’s Natural Multi-Vitamin Glycerin Tincture Herbs
 
Six herbs chosen for nutritive qualities: 

Nettles contribute Vitamins A and C and readily absorbed minerals like calcium, silicon, and potassium.

Alfalfa lends beta-carotene, Vitamin K, some of the B complex vitamins, and numerous amino acids.

Red raspberry leaf is a source of important minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, and magnesium.

Oat straw contributes minerals such as chromium, silicon, and magnesium.

Rose hips are a concentrated source of Vitamin C and provide Vitamins A and E.

Mullein is a gentle herb that works well for children’s health and provides important minerals like magnesium, potassium, and sulfur.

Spearmint is added for flavor in this recipe. It has a sweet minty taste that is milder than peppermint.

Making the tincture is very easy:
 
    Combine 4 tablespoons each of alfalfa and nettles with 3 tablespoons each red raspberry leaf, oat straw, mullein, rose hips, and spearmint in a quart size Mason jar. Cap the jar and shake it to mix up the herbs.  They will fill about half of the jar.
Pour very hot water over the herbs until they are covered in water.
Pour vegetable glycerin into the jar, leaving about an inch of room at the top.  Gently stir the mixture to incorporate the herbs, water, and glycerin.  Place a lid on the jar and place the tincture mixture in a dark place for about two weeks at room temperature, or place in a very warm location for about three days.
    When time to strain the tincture, place a sieve over a large measuring cup.  Place a piece of cheesecloth or other thin cotton cloth over the strainer. Mullein has tiny hairs on the leaves and fabric ensures none go into the tincture. Pour the tincture with herbs into the cloth-lined sieve and strain.  If the tincture seems too thick, pour a little hot water over it.  When the tincture has been placed in the sieve, squeeze the cloth over the sieve to get out the last bits of tincture.  Pour the tincture into a dark glass container and store in a cool, dark place.
    To figure out how much you should give your child, my favorite use Clark’s Rule: Divide the child’s weight by 150 to get the fraction of adult dose they will take.
    Since these herbs are all nutritive herbs, non-toxic, and do not have upper limits like some herbs, start with something basic and easy to remember like taking 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for an adult.  What that will be for my child will depend on what answer I get after I plug their information in the “Clark’s Rule” formula.  Taking the supplement with a meal can help all of the vitamins and minerals absorb well.