During a long-term wilderness survival situation, conditions like scurvy can become a serious concern, especially if the food you’re eating is primarily made up of wild meats. At one time, scurvy was a huge medical problem, especially for sailors, arctic explorers, and passengers and crew on long-distance voyages. Scurvy is a deadly condition that comes about from a deficiency of vitamin C; that’s why it’s so important to supplement your diet with this vitamin during a survival situation.
Since you’re probably not going to come across a drug store out in the wilderness, one way to supplement your Vitamin C intake is with pine needles.
Making Pine Needle Tea in the Wilderness.
During the old days of arctic and oceanic exploration, many people succumbed to scurvy because of the lack of Vitamin C in their diets. A great way to obtain Vitamin C in the wilderness is by using pine needles to brew a hot and tasty tea. Pine Needles are packed full of Vitamin C, and can be a great way to pick up your mood on a cold night out in the wilderness.
The process of making Pine Needle Tea is extremely simple.
- Grab a handful of pine needles and wash them thoroughly.
- Chop the brown ends off and then ruff up the needles in your hand to let out the oils.
- Place them in a cup of hot water, and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
Safety note: Yew, Norfolk Island Pine, and Ponderous Pine Needles should be avoided, since they are considered unsafe for human consumption.
