Judson Carroll

Riona Abhainn wrote:My father and I found some growing and tried them straight.  We didn't like them because of their bitterness, but I'm glad other people do and can snack on them.  I think they'd need a lot of ... enhancement with sugar etc. to suit me.

It is an acquired taste... you have to practice

Tyler Grace wrote:Just started listening, sounds very interesting so far, thank you!

Do you have an RSS link for the podcast?

Thaks!  I do: https://www.spreaker.com/show/4697544/episodes/feed

Merry Christmas everyone! We have a tradition on this show to do a very special episode for Christmas. This is my gift to you and I hope you will enjoy it with friends, family and loved ones, but especially with your kids and grandkids. This show is about the things that matter.... hint, it isn’t the stuff. It is the people and the memories, things no amount of money can buy.

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-268-christmas-special-2025

Richland Woman Blues on guitar

I show you how to play Mississippi John Hurt's "Richland Woman Blues".  This song was somewhat unique to his repertoire a was an adaptation of the older folk/blues, "Midnight Special".  He combined dissonate bluesy slides with a more old-time country style bass pattern.

https://youtu.be/kpL0tw8BmR8

They self seed very easily, too.

Jay Angler wrote:

Judson Carroll wrote:... It has many great medicinal uses, is healthy to eat and just plain tasty!

I always keep a chunk of root in my freezer. Even frozen, it is so much tastier than what I get in the dried, powdered spice department of the grocery store.

I use it micro planed in many of the marinades I make, or if I'm making a "Chinese" style soup.

One day my son's friend dropped by for a visit and brought a baby ginger plant for his wife. I found a suitable pot - it was desperate for an upgrade - and so far it is happy in the window of their apartment. Not sure whether in our climate, the root will grow enough to harvest, but fingers are crossed!

I had not thought about microplaning - good idea! It is hard to get a good balance between enough and too much

Herbal Medicine 101: Ginger

I tell you about the medicinal and culinary use of Ginger.  This herb was once one of the world's most expensive spices.  It has many great medicinal uses, is healthy to eat and just plain tasty!

https://youtu.be/5R7rS6Y1iNI

Morfydd St. Clair wrote:Thanks for the information!

For the European Permies, note that Oregon Grape is a common landscaping plant in Germany.  Many nurseries sell it, and you might be able to forage it, with caution.  (It kills me that the park near me that is full of berries every year also has big signs warning about rat poison.)

It is very easy to transplant and grows well in containers. Maybe you can grab one.  Even if you break off most of the root, a small one will survive.

Depending on where you live, the berries of Oregon Grape maybe ripen in late spring or early summer.  Its cousin, Barberry, may have last fall’s berries still on its thorny stems in spring, as well.  I prefer the larger, blue to reddish berries of Oregon Grape, although I have both growing on my property.  Both plants are very important to herbal medicine, having strong antiseptic properties and being very good for the liver and stomach.  The berries of Oregon Grape, like the entire plant, are extremely bitter, but not unpleasant.  Combined, in small amounts, with either other fruits or large amounts of sugar they can make a very nice jelly or wine.  Once you get used to their bitterness, you may enjoy snacking on a few berries while hiking.  The flavor can be quite shocking to the uninitiated, but gradually you can develop a taste for them as I have.



Oregon Grape berries are more like cranberries than any other fruit that comes to mind.  A simple compote made of them makes an excellent side dish for roasted meat and fowl.  Put a cup or two of berries into a pot, along with a cup of water and bring to a low boil.  Once cooked, press the berries through a strainer to remove the seeds.  Return to the pot and add a cup or so (to taste) of sugar, a cup of water and some citrus zest.  Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved.  You can add any spices you like – I think cinnamon and clove are very nice.  The flavor will be something like a tart cranberry sauce and should not be too sweet, but will have a distinctive Oregon Grape taste and aroma.  A small serving should ensure good digestion with even the heaviest meal.



Medicinally, Oregon Grape is among our most important plants.  Let's turn to Plants For A Future again:



Medicinal use of Oregon Grape: Oregon grape was often used by several native North American Indian tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility. Its current herbal use is mainly in the treatment of gastritis and general digestive weakness, to stimulate the kidney and gallbladder function and to reduce catarrhal problems. The root and root bark is alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions. Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use. The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.

This article is an excerpt from






The Spring Foraging Cookbook: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-spring-foraging-cookbook.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRP63R54



Also, I am back on Youtube. Please subscribe to my channel: @judsoncarroll5902   Judson Carroll - YouTube





PS. New today in my Woodcraft shop:

Toasted Holly Coffee Scoop

Toasted Holly Coffee Scoop - Judson Carroll Woodcraft

https://judsoncarrollwoodcraft.substack.com/p/toasted-holly-coffee-scoop


Read about my other new books:
Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html


Available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25



Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS



A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings July-December, 2025
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-daily-catholic-devotional-reflections.html

Medicinal Weeds and Grasses of the American Southeast, an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/medicinal-weeds-and-grasses-of-american.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/confirmation-autobiography-of-faith.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

and

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide

Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6: by Judson Carroll


Visit my Substack and sign up for my free newsletter:

Judson Carroll, Master Herbalist
Herbal Medicine
Read about my new other books:

Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS

The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast an Herbalist's Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6

and

Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R


The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Bitter Herbs: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R

and

Christian Medicine, History and Practice: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB



Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs

Blog:

https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/

Free Video Lessons: Herbal Medicine 101 - YouTube



Disclaimer

The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.

Today, I tell you about the medicinal use of three powerfully medicinal vines.

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-267-akebia-quinata-ampelopsis