Back in January, I posted a recipe for an herbal multi-vitamin. I’m telling you, that stuff saved me. I used it to try to restore my body postpartum, to intending to really make sure I wasn’t deficient and was in excellent health before attempting to conceive again. Except then I got pregnant anyway…. 
For all I know this tincture had something to do with it, by making my body healthy enough to conceive. And it certainly staved off morning sickness in a major way. You can read more about this and my pregnancy journey in general at Modern Alternative Pregnancy.
While that formula is great for women and children, and fine for men, men do have some unique health needs. This new formula is specifically designed to be appropriate for men.
It’s missing the catnip and spearmint, which were largely there for B vitamins (important to women’s health, especially fertility). Not that men don’t need B vitamins, but they can be found in dandelion and nettle too. The spearmint and catnip were reinforcements, and the spearmint in particular was there for folate, very critical to fetal development. Men don’t have the same needs there.
Instead, this features saw palmetto and ashwagandha. I especially love the ashwagandha, but it isn’t safe for pregnancy or nursing. Not an issue for men, and very beneficial. Ashwagandha helps stamina, reduces stress, and may have an effect on several aspects of sexual health (it’s hard to find sites that discuss men’s health and don’t feature sexual health!). It also has a positive effect on sleep and mood, and may combat depression (like I said — awesome — for men and women, just not safe if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Feel free to add it to the other formula if you’re female and not in the fertility phase of life).
Saw palmetto specifically addresses prostate health, which may promote good elimination, reduce prostate swelling, and also improve sexual function and overall stamina. It is calming and it has even been rumored to positively affect (i.e. potentially stop) male hair loss and regrow hair naturally.
Dandelion, nettle, and alfalfa are adaptogenic herbs which are high in several vitamins and minerals and help to balance and tone the body.
All together, this formula is very potent and can improve men’s health!
Ingredients:
- 6 tbsp. dandelion leaf
- 6 tbsp. nettle leaf
- 3 tbsp. alfalfa
- 2 tbsp. saw palmetto
- 2 tbsp. ashwagandha
- 1 1/2 c. vegetable glycerin
- 1 1/2 c. filtered water
Directions:
Gather your ingredients.
Put the dandelion leaf into a glass mason jar (quart).
Add the nettle leaf.
Add the saw palmetto.
Add the ashwagandha.
Add the saw palmetto.
Add the glycerin and the water and shake to combine.
Let this sit in a dark, cool place for six weeks, then strain. Dose is about 1 – 2 tbsp. per day (you may find that you ‘crave’ more when you need more, so let your body’s needs guide this).
**This post has been entered in Frugal Days and Sustainable Ways.**
How do you stay healthy and make sure you get the nutrients required?
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TESTING!
do you just swallow this, chew it, mix with something else?how long does this last. do you recommend mixing just one batch at a time or can you make a bigger batch?
Once it’s finished, you strain it out so you have only a liquid left. Then just drink.
It will last several months, so you can make a bigger batch at once if you like.
Hi Katie,
For this men’s multivitamin, you use dandelion leaf, but for the general multivitamin posted back in January, you mentioned in the comments section to use dandelion root. Is there a reason to use different parts for each tincture?
Also, did you mention that the NOW brand glycerin doesn’t have corn in it? If one were to use vinegar instead, can you use any type of vinegar?
Thanks!
Kara
Hi Kara,
I probably used the dandelion leaf in the first version too…and forgot. The root is more potent and a detoxifier, while the leaves are gentler and more nourishing. You could use any type of vinegar, I believe, but something raw and unfiltered would deliver the most health benefits. Most people like to use ACV.
Kate, so we can use dandelion leaves for both formulas? I am trying to get an order together for Bulk Herb Store and Mountain Rose herbs (BHS doesn’t have ashwandha or saw palmetto!). Also, where do you get your glycerin? It is SO expensive everywhere I look! Can we use vodka for this recipe?
This looks great! Can’t wait to make it for hubby. Hoping it will help with his energy and stress levels! Thanks for the great recipes.
Hi Katie,
Is there a reason why you use less water and glycerin in the men’s vitamin? (1.5 cups of each vs 2 cups for the general multivitamin tincture)
Thanks,
Kara
Katie,
I have everything but the ashwaganda, which I can’t afford right now. Is there something major that will be missing in this formula without it? Or is there something else I can substitute for it?
Thanks,
Sarah
Kate, is there a shelf life of this formula? Or are you supposed to refrigerate it? My husband noticed some semi-solid matter on the bottom of the jar and I’m not sure what it is. He’s used about half the jar and I hate to waste the rest but it’s kinda freakin’ me out.
It’s been a few months since I made it…