Judson Carroll

Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me on guitar

I show you how to play John Hurt's "Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me".  This is a fairly complex tune compared to most of his music.  It is in the key of C and show both a big Jimmie Rodgers influence and ragtime guitar.

https://youtu.be/Csg0jxC_EIE

Milkweed

The main thing you need to know about eating Milkweed is that it must be harvested early.  As Milkweed matures, it becomes slightly toxic and develops a milky sap that is somewhat caustic.  The mature plant has medicinal use, but it must be harvested with care – Milkweed sap in the eyes could even cause blindness.  Harvest Milkweed shoots when around 6 inches, picking only young, tender leaves and unopened flower buds.  Most sources say that Milkweed should be boiled in 2-3 changes of water before being cooked, to remove the bitterness.  I don’t mind the bitterness that much, especially in small amounts – just parboiling is fine for me.  I cook small servings of the shoots like asparagus, using the steam/saute method with butter or pork fat.  The leaves and flower buds work well in soup or mixed with other potherbs.  The seed pods give us a second harvest – gather them while still tender, and use them as you might okra or purslane.  

Tender Milkweed Pods with Tomato:

Sweat down some onion in fat in a medium hot pan.  Add the pods and either fresh crushed or canned tomatoes in the same pan, with the onion, once the onion is translucent.  You could also add celery, garlic, cut corn and/or green peppers.  I usually just season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper and a dash of Worcestershire Sauce, but I will toss in anything I have on hand.  Sometimes I even add a little chicken broth and/or white wine, hot sauce, etc.  Regardless, just make sure you have enough liquid for the vegetables to simmer until tender, making a thick sauce.  Serve over buttered rice.  

In all honesty, I make this dish far more often with okra than Milkweed because I grow a lot of okra in the garden, and because my grandmother made it with okra.  But, Milkweed is a delicious substitute, as is Purslane.  You could also pickle the Milkweed pods.  While okra is my standard for such dishes, I believe there is much nutritional value in eating the widest possible variety of foods, so I substitute wild plants in familiar recipes where I can.

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.

Riona Abhainn wrote:We discovered and experimented with mallow in our yard this year, and we concluded we don't like it raw haha.  But cooked its fine for both my husband and I.  I like your idea of cooking it with bacon. :)

Every vegetable is better with bacon!

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/show-261-spikemoss-and-meadowsweet--68390105

Today, I tell you about the medicinal properties of Spikemoss and Meadowsweet. These are great plants to have on hand for first aid, bleeding, colds and flus, aches and pains.

On The Other Hand Baby on guitar

I show you how to play Etta Baker's "On The Other Hand Baby".  This is a great blues instrumental in a more modern or Chicago style than much of her music. There are a lot of great licks in this one!

https://youtu.be/I9qj0AF7MDs

If it is real licorice, especially the barely sweet, sometimes salty Swedish version (I think it is Swedish or Dutch... somewhere where it is cold anyway), then licorice all day long!

Pine Needle Basketry, part 2

Today, we begin stitching in coils and I show you how to make turns while keeping everything tight.  I also show you a very useful knot for slippery thread.

https://youtu.be/cvU6YPqbS4s

Mallow

The leaves of several Mallows may be eaten in the spring, but the Common Mallow, often called “Cheeses” due to the cheese-wheel like shape of the flower, is most popular.  These buds may also be cooked and eaten or simply snacked on raw.  Mallows have an okra or purslane-like mucilaginous quality.  If you like that, as I do, you will love them.  They are very good as a cooked vegetable, served with vinegar.  The flower buds are excellent pickled – just like pickled okra, they lose their sliminess and may be enjoyed by all.  

The leaves of Mallows are also useful, especially in spring.  I usually toss the leaves and buds in a pan together and just cook them down with some bacon fat and salt.  This makes a nice potherb.  I like to cook some chopped onion with the Mallow and add some lemon juice and spice – Creole seasoning, black pepper, crushed red pepper, etc.  This makes an excellent bed for grilled chicken or fish, etc and a nice meal even with just some buttered rice and lima beans… I don’t always have to have meat, but I would generally have a couple of deviled eggs.





Marsh Marigold

This plant is mostly found in the northeastern United States.  But, its range does extend into the Appalachians in my region.  I have not had much experience with Marsh Marigold, but have found it to be an interesting spring edible, with a nice, cheery flower when most else is still dormant.  That said, this plant is somewhat toxic eaten raw.  The tender leaves and flower buds must be cooked to remove this toxicity.  Most experts recommend boiling them in 2-3 changes of water before cooking them to serve.  As I have not had as much experience with Marsh Marigold as I have Poke (which usually carries the same warnings), I have followed their advice.  You can cook the plant as a potherb, with some fat, and enjoy it as you would Poke, Dock, Dandelion, etc. and you can include the buds with the leaves.  The cooked buds may also be pickled like capers, as described under Dandelion.



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 Cooking Spoon
https://judsoncarrollwoodcraft.substack.com/p/toasted-holly-cooking-spoon


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.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/show-260-elder--68287580

Today, I tell you about the medicinal and edible properties of Elder.  Also, Elder berries are one of my absolute favorites for wine and jam and a great remedy for colds and coughs!



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

Ain't Nobody's Dirty Business on Guitar
I show you how to play Mississippi John Hurt's "Ain't Nobody's Dirty Business". We discuss a little of the history of the song and talk about different ways you could play it to make it your own.
https://youtu.be/7ORbxJ76Qyc

New today in my Woodcraft shop:

Toasted Holly Cooking Spoon
https://judsoncarrollwoodcraft.substack.com/p/toasted-holly-cooking-spoon

Email: judson@judsoncarroll.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/southern-appalachian-herbs--4697544/support

My new book: A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings January-June, 2026: Caroll, Judson: 9798270034252: Amazon.com: Books  
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWJMD7CL

Read about 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


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


Visit my Substack and sign up for my free newsletter:
https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/


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


Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html

Also available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25

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

Blog: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/

Free Video Lessons: Herbal Medicine 101 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7QS6b0lQqEclaO9AB-kOkkvlHr4tqAbs

Ain't Nobody's Dirty Business on Guitar

I show you how to play Mississippi John Hurt's "Ain't Nobody's Dirty Business".  We discuss a little of the history of the song and talk about different ways you could play it to make it your own.

https://youtu.be/7ORbxJ76Qyc