Vitamin C

It's easy to get vitamin C these days. It wasn't always so. Up here in the Great North Woods of NH, we don't grow a lot of orange trees. Now it's easy to buy citrus at the grocery store. If nothing else, there' s vitamin supplement pills.

Back when my dad was a kid, an orange was a big treat. If you were lucky you'd get one in your Christmas stocking. Even so, people got enough C from the fruits and veggies they canned from their garden. It was enough to prevent scurvy anyway.

The Native Americans had a tougher time of it. Their vitamin C options were very limited indeed. However, there is a common source of vitamin C available all winter long. Tea made from spruce or pine needles will supply what you need.

The tea is an acquired taste. I don't mind it. In fact, I've been known to brew some up while hiking just for a little variety. If you try it and don't like, better hope you have another source of vitamin C. Scurvy is a nasty disease.

Maybe you'll just have to hold your nose and take your medicine.

-Sixbears