R[ichard] P. F[eynman]

In this humorous and lighthearted letter to his "dietician" mother Lucille, Richard Feynman discusses a recent article in Science ("The Work of Soviet Botanists," April 16, 1943) in which it was stated that the Russians had recently discovered that pine needles were a good source of Vitamin C. Feynman also expounds upon the numerous responses to the letter in Science — a "whole series of articles to prove the Russians weren't first" — and discusses his own attempt at making and drinking pine needle tea.

Richard Feynman's autograph letter reads, in part:

"Dear Mom,

[...]

You who are a dietician might be interested in the following story. In "Science" (the publication of the American Assoc. for the Advancement thereof) was an article saying the Russians discovered that pine needles are a good source of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C ⁠— anti-scurvy). Well thereafter followed a whole series of articles to prove the Russians weren't first. One of them said that in 1563 some Frenchman had his army all dying of scurvy, + asked the Indians about it + they told him to make a tea of pine needles + the men did that, using up a whole tree for the army + they all got better. Some years later another army had trouble but the Indians had moved away + another tribe had moved in + they couldn't figure out which tree it was.

[...]

So, of course, I had to make pine needle tea. I did while visiting Putzie Sunday, not that either of us were short on Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) but my curiosity was aroused. Result; ⁠— fair. Not too wonderful, not too bad. About as good as regular tea, but different. Crush the pine needles up ⁠— pour on boiling water + allow to seep a while. Serve hot, or with ice + lemon. Cheap. Remarkable fact is it tastes like pine needles.