Judson Carroll

Wintergreen

Wintergreen isn’t really a spring plant.  The berries stay on most all year and can be one for the few edible berries available in winter.  They are small, but tasty.  I have never really found them in abundance enough to cook them into a dessert.  Up north, folks can collect enough to make pies.  For me, they are just an occasional snack.  They are tasty, but a bit dry.  The leaves were once used as the wintergreen flavor in chewing gum, etc, and used medicinally.  Birch twigs were later found to be more abundant and easier to harvest.  Birch is similar both in flavor and medicinally.  The leaves make a very nice tea, but I am not really a tea drinker.  In the spring, when the leaves are tender, they can be snacked on, as well.





Wisteria

Some people enjoy dipping clusters of Wisteria flowers in batter and frying them as you would Elder or  Black Locust flowers.  Unfortunately, I cannot enjoy this plant as I am extremely allergic to it… which is a shame, because it smells fantastic.  Other parts of Wisteria are toxic, so use with care.





Yucca

Yucca is one of the most useful plants for making cordage, baskets, etc.  And, it is also edible.  That said, it is not my favorite.  The flowers and flower buds are the parts most often eaten.   The fruits or seed pods are said to be edible when small and tender, and even the flowering stalk when still pinkish and tender.  My issue with yucca is that it tastes soapy.  It isn’t bad, it just isn’t very good.  I view yucca more as a survival food.  Occasionally, I will toss a few flowers into a salad just for nutritional value and because they are a pretty, white color.  But, the texture is waxy.  The buds are better cooked using the steam/saute method.    One thing that is important to point out is that the “yuca root” used in South American cooking and occasionally seen in American grocery stores is a different plant – notice the slightly different spelling.  This delicious member of the cassava family is cooked like potato and is one of my absolute favorite fried vegetables.  Some good, grilled meat with chimichuri and fried yuca is not to be missed!  I can’t say the same about our Yucca, but if I ever find a really good recipe for this plant, I will update this book and post it on my website.





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

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.

Show 294: Review - How To Grow Medicinal Herbs by Vanessa Minton

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-294-review-how-to-grow-medicinal

I review How To Grow Medicinal Herbs, An Illustrated beginner’s guide to growing, harvesting and making herbal remedies at home, by Vanessa Minton. It is a good book!

Blue Yodel No. 1, Tea for Texas

I show you how to play a finger style version of the Jimmie Rodgers classic, "Blue Yodel No. 1", more commonly called "T. For Texas". This was a major hit for the Singing Brakeman, and established a genre of music that was uniquely his own by mixing blues and country.

Jill Dyer wrote:Hello - is this the "mimosa" whose leaves fold up when touched? The flowers look similar. (Mimosa pudica)
"Mimosa" was imported to UK as a cut flower when I was a kid.  It's one from Australia - Acacia dealbata and has lots of bright yellow pom-pom flowers.  I've taken to learning the Latin names of plants for easier conversations with folks from different countries.

We call that one "sensitive flower".  It is very similar but lower growing.

Wild Strawberry

This is our first spring fruit, but the leaves are useful too.  The modern strawberry is large, firm and juicy.  It is a marvel of plant breeding!  Wild Strawberries are smaller and less sweet, but just as delicious.  Wild Strawberries are perennial and some varieties give you a few berries per plant from spring through fall.  The “improved” strawberry that is farm raised gives a large flush of fruit around the beginning of May.  I grow some heirloom varieties of strawberries that are larger than the wild version, but give fruit throughout warm weather – the flavor is excellent!  Still, Wild Strawberries are a real treat.  The only look-alike is not poisonous but just doesn’t have any flavor.  You can enjoy Wild Strawberries fresh, out of hand.  But, they are better cooked with some sugar and lemon juice to make preserves or jam… what is better on a hot, buttered biscuit?  You can toss in a little Mint or Basil, or even black pepper, for a more complex flavor.  A few violet blossoms (etc) would also be nice.  Wild strawberries never seem to come in enough quantity to make wine, but strawberry wine is WONDERFUL!  You might try adding a few to your Dandelion wine.  Tender, spring leaves could be added to a salad, but they are most often used to make a tea that is both tasty and tangy, but is also good for sore throats and diarrhea.





Wintercress

Wintercress is so much like wild Mustard in texture and flavor, that were it not for the shape of the leaves, they would be very difficult to tell apart.  The flowers are also similar in appearance.  The two plants sprout and bloom at about the same time.  I just gather them together.  I don’t worry about what is Mustard and what is Wintercress.  They go in the same bag and I cook them together.  Both are very sharp eaten raw and a little tough.  Cooked in fat, salted and served with hot pepper vinegar, they are IDEAL!

Both plants also make excellent pickled greens.  Make these just as you would sauerkraut, but leave the leaves whole.  This is a real delicacy and pickled mustard greens are sold in Asian markets.  They are good as a small side dish, along with a heavier meal, but also very good in soups.  If you like Chinese “hot and sour” soup, try tossing a few of these pickled greens in, instead of adding vinegar.  If you like sweet and sour sauces, do the same.  A very good way to use them is with a pork roast.  The traditional, German sauerbraten uses vinegar and crushed ginger snap cookies (or similar flavors) to give roasted pork a unique flavor.  Pickled greens or sauerkraut is even better, to my taste.  I like to cook both pork roasts and sausages this way.  But, instead of cookies, I cover the meat with kraut or pickled veggies, toss in some cinnamon, ginger, cloves, coriander and mustard seed, a handful of raisins and a glass or two of low-acid wine or beer.  I like red wine or dark beer with the roast and white wine or a pilsner style beer with sausage.  Either way, it is fantastic with potato salad!


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

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.

Show 293: Surviving Hard Times Stress, Anxiety, Sleep, Muscle Pains & Strains

Steve and I discuss a large variety of herbs.

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-293-surviving-hard-times-stress

Baby Quit Your Low Down Ways

I show you how to play Blind Boy Fuller's "Baby Quit Your Low Down Ways" on guitar, with a little Sonny Tery influenced "Whoopin'" on the harmonica.  I had A LOT of fun playing this one, and I hope you will too!

[youtube]https://youtu.be/ecCo9lu9DkQ
[/youtube]

Wild Onions and Garlic

The same rule applies to these plants as with Ramps.  If it looks like an allium AND smells like an allium, it is an allium.  If it looks like an allium but does not smell like garlic, onions, etc., it is very likely poisonous.  The nice thing about these plants, especially wild onions, is that they are fairly ubiquitous.  They pop up in most lawns, old pastures, roadsides, etc.  Always be careful about harvesting from roadsides though, as a lot of nasty stuff like petro chemicals runs off of roads when it rains and can contaminate the plants that grow near them.  I never hesitate to harvest along quiet country roads that see little traffic, especially dirt and gravel roads.  Unfortunately, unpaved roads are becoming a thing of the past.  Pavement means run-off.  Wild Onions and Garlic have excellent flavor.  Generally, they are a bit stronger than garden varieties, and a little tougher.  But, their flavor, abundance and convenience certainly makes up for that.  Use these plants just as you would any other allium – salads, soups, cooked meats, fish, eggs, cheese, etc.  I often use the tops along with or in place of chives.

Wild Allium “boursin”

Boursin is a delicious, tangy, spreadable herbed or heavily peppered cheese.  As far as I know, it is generally made with goat cheese, like chevre.  But, really you could make a similar cheese with a fresh, farmhouse style or cottage cheese, ricotta, soft sheep milk cheese, cream cheese, etc. Finely grated medium-hard cheese like blue, cheddar or Swiss (etc.) would be fine, but you will need to mix in a little cream cheese to bring it together into a spread…. And, if you did that, you could make a cheese ball by rolling it in chopped herbs, nuts and bacon… which is probably even better than the recipe below!

Ingredients:

Chevre

Finely chopped wild Onion, Garlic, Ramps, Chives (etc.)

Finely chopped herbs, to taste – I would always use parsley, at the very least.  Any aromatic,  savory herb/s would be fine.

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional cayenne or a dash of hot sauce – I like it, but it is not traditional.

Simply blend it all together with a spoon.  Let the flavors come together overnight in the fridge.  Serve on crackers, toast, top a steak, etc.  If serving with meat or smoked seafood like oysters, clams or fish, I think a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce added to the cheese spread is perfect.  You can add a spoonful or two of this to and omelet, steamed/sauteed veggies, hot, cooked pasta or an Alfredo sauce… put some on a pizza… top a burger, etc.  This wonderful blending of herbs and cheese dates back at least to ancient Greece, as it was described by Pliny the Elder as a “farmer’s breakfast.”  When I grew up on the farm, breakfast was bacon, sausage, eggs, grits, biscuits, etc.  Farmers need a good, calorie dense breakfast!



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

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.

Show 292: Tobacco

By special request, I discuss the medicinal properties of tobacco, most of which are topical. Tobacco is a powerful herb that can be both useful and very toxic. Care and common sense must be exercised. And, while I do not advocate its recreational use, it is by no means a bad or evil plant. God made everything and declared it “good.” While anything may be misused, nothing in nature should be demonized because of irresponsible or mis-use.

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-292-tobacco

I Ain't Got Nobody on guitar

I show you how to play a classic early jazz tune that has been a favorite at least since 1914!  Emmett Millr had a hit with it in the 1920s, for Bob Wills in the 1930s, Louis Prima in the 1950s, David Lee Roth in the 1980s... and countless others. It has a great rhythm, which I enhance with some western swing style chords for a moving bass line. Then, I teach you a fingerstyle solo/break and give you some ideas to turn this tune into a real showstopper... this one is pure fun!!