Judson Carroll

Show 285: An Interview with Zuzu Armes

This week, I interviewed Zuzu Armes, the “Cell Health Protector.” She shares her experience in reversing her own epilepsy, scoliosis, and arthritis with natural methods. She is one of the leading voices in herbal medicine and natural health, an author and a hands on practitioner at Lilly Fields Retreat Center in Georgia.

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-285-an-interview-with-zuzu-armes

Blind Boy Fuller Corrine, What Makes You Treat Me So? Guitar (Piedmont Blues Fingerstyle Tutorial)

Learn how to play “Corrine, What Makes You Treat Me So” in the style of Blind Boy Fuller with this detailed Piedmont blues guitar lesson. This tutorial breaks down the signature lick, syncopated rhythm, and fingerstyle techniques that make this classic blues tune both beautiful and challenging.

https://youtu.be/JwigpO6GD5g

Riona Abhainn wrote:I got strawberry spinich to grow in a pot the first year I got more serious about gardening, so summer of '23.  I agree about the berries, they can be fillers with other berries to get the other berries to go farther, but they taste "boring" to my modern tastebuds on their own.

I read somewhere that someone was trying to breed a variety with better flavor, but I can't find it.

Herbal Medicine 101: Cudweed 🌿 Powerful “Weed” for Coughs, Pain & Antiviral Support

https://youtu.be/xEbOsqqYhGg

Spring Beauty

The two prettiest flowers to pop up in early spring are Spring Beauty and Trillium. Both are destroyed by harvesting and should only be collected with care towards conservation. If you live where Spring Beauty is abundant, enjoy! A friend in Canada has countless thousands of these plants just outside her window! Where I live, they are far less abundant, and I only take a few. Several Native American tribes depended on the tuberous roots of Spring Beauty for survival – managing this plant responsibly has been a goal long before America was a nation. There is no reason not to harvest Spring Beauty, though – each plant produces several tubers. Keep the largest and replant the small ones. They can be eaten raw or cooked like potatoes or Jerusalem Artichokes. Spring Beauty does not have a ton of flavor but can give needed calories. The crunch is nice. I would compare Spring Beauty to water chestnuts. They feel good between the teeth and help fill the stomach, but they are not a crave-able dish on their own.

The real appeal of Spring Beauty is not the root, though, it is the leaves and stems. Spring Beauty is one of the very best salad greens. When I can find this plant, I absolutely have to enjoy this one raw. It often grows near Ramps, so the combo is a natural. Any other spring greens and herbs I find are a nice bonus, but I could be satisfied with just these two, alone, with a creamy salad dressing. I mentioned before that blue cheese and ramps pair perfectly but they are also delicious with a quality ranch style dressing.

My favorite Blue Cheese Dressing is a combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled blue

cheese, a little lemon juice and maybe some garlic; salt and pepper to taste.

A very good Ranch style dressing can be made using a large variety of herbs. I use it as both a

dressing and a dip, and make it often because I grow so many herbs. That recipe is under Miner’s Lettuce.




Strawberry Spinach

This plant is in the same family as Lamb’s Quarters and the leaves may be used the same. Some folks prefer Strawberry Spinach greens to Lamb’s Quarters, especially when they are very tender in early spring. Although the leaves are smaller, it is a good “wild spinach.” Strawberry Spinach gets its name from its berries... yes, this plant often bears abundant berries. They actually look more like raspberries than strawberries though. Unfortunately the berries usually don’t have a lot of flavor. You can cook them down with a lot of sugar and some citrus to make a jam, but they are best combined with other berries, tree fruit or a syrup made from dandelion or honeysuckle flowers. I usually just toss a few of the berries into a salad for color more than flavor. I think of Strawberry Spinach as basically just a nice salad green with a little bonus in the berries. I have read that some heirloom seed breeders are trying to improve the flavor of the berries; they have already been successful in producing larger leaves so that the plants produce enough yield to be grown as a garden vegetable.

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
Type your email...
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 284: Spring Tonics

Today, I discuss spring tonics. These are herbs that stimulate and tonify the various systems of the body. They do everything from improving digestion to strengthening the immune system, etc.

https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/p/show-284-spring-tonics

Brain Cloudy Blues on guitar

I show you how to play a Texas, western swing, style blues made famous by the great Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys... arguably the most popular and influential band in American music history!  I use a variety of swing chords and progressions with breaks that are equally influenced by Eldon Shamblin and Lightnin' Hopkins.

https://youtu.be/IWo8WdOgZw0

r ransom wrote:There is, what appears to my eye, a Salvador Ibáñez mandolin at the local thrift store.  Should I get it?

I think they don't know what it is,because it's priced at what we would expect for a modern Ibanez mandolin.  It's definitely not modern.

Before Hoshino Gakki bought the name and started making the Ibanez lines of guitar and other string instruments in Japan, there was Salvador who made amazing instruments in Spain named after himself.  From what I can tell, he has some reputation among classical guitar players.  He did make some mandolin, but not many survived.  

The materials used in the construction of this thrift store mandolin speak to early 20th century, especially the cellulose used to make the tuner handles which is the early fake ivory..the kind that used to explode when dropped.  Given the construction and from what I can tell, it's circa 1920 (materials date as early as 1870s but the label speaks to later years, and the cellulose plastic phases out with the rise of bakerlite in the 1910s).  Made by him, or more likely, his sons who weren't so good at it and made less adorned instruments.

Anyway



My thoughts run like this.

That's an amazing price for a Salvador ibáñez, even a simple one.  I'll never find something that good a value again.

But no provenance, so no point investing in it for the resale value as it's unlikely to be great and there aren't enough like this on the market to even know what kind of resale price is possible.

And I don't even know how to play the mandolin.   Sure, i want to one day, but the guitar and ukulele have stolen all my time and I'm determined to conquer these two before getting distracted by another instrument.

It could hang on the wall as art.

And the money would come out of my guitar savings fund, but then again, it is saving faster than I expected, so it has come at a good time.  Is it fate?

And wow, wouldn't it be cool to make a 100 year old instrument play again?  It looks like the only issue is stiff tuners, a lot of dust, minor scuffs, and old strings.

Maybe they have low tension strings for mandolin to baby it.

Is it even okay to play music on something that old?

But wow, what a history and that's an amazing price...

Round and round my thoughts do spin like a scratched LP.  Anyone want to try to nudge the needle?

I have several old instruments. Right now, my tenor banjo is 100 years old and solid as a rock.  Generally, a quality old instrument is much better made with better woods than new ones.  I LOVE them.  Mandolins are a little tricky though, because of the high tension of the strings.  Make sure there is absolutely no warping or bowing of the top.  That is the biggest issue.  Seems can be reglued.  Get a dental mirror and a flashlight and check the bracings.  Bracings can also be reglued, but if they are separating from the top, that could indicate a problem.  Look down the neck from the nut to the bridge and make sure everything is level.  isten for rattles and buzzes.  If everything is sound, I'd go for it.

Sow Thistle

Sow Thistle not only looks a lot like Dandelion, but is mostly interchangeable.  The main difference is that it is less bitter.  The young, tender leaves can be eaten in salads.  But, as the plant matures, the leaves will become prickly, showing that it is in the thistle family.  At that stage, they make very good cooked greens and are one of the best “wild spinaches”.  Also, unlike Dandelion, the tender stems are a choice edible that can be cooked like asparagus, steamed and buttered or included in a cream or other soup, casseroles, eggs, etc.  The stem of Dandelion is much more bitter and really only of use medicinally as a bitter herb.  The flowers are edible, but also like Dandelion, they are best picked in the bud stage and pickled like capers.







Spiderwort

This was a plant that really surprised me when I found it was listed as edible.  I had been told that it was poisonous, but I suspect that it had been included with Blue Flag Iris.  Blue Flag, while having some medicinal uses, should not be foraged as food.  Spiderwort is a beautiful spring wildflower, and should not be over harvested.  Use the young stems like Asparagus and the tender, spring leaves as a potherb.  The flowers may even be candied.  Very generally speaking, blue flowered plants should be treated with caution.  I am pleased to have learned of this one, as it is one of my favorite spring flowers and I can toss a few in with Trilliums and other plants that should not be over harvested.

One special dish I came up with when I found a nice patch of Spiderwort was a simple stir-fry.  The Hostas were perfect for harvesting at the same time.  So, I filled my basket with probably 70% Hosta shoots and a few hands full of Spiderwort.  Of course, being early spring, I included some Ramps... that is my favorite edible plant, after all!  The Spiderwort needed a quick blanch in boiling water to be similarly tender to the hostas.  I drained and dried them well.  I only cook with a wok on the grill since I don't have a gas stove anymore.... and I REALLLY miss my gas stove!  But, we don't have central gas in the rural Appalachians.  I do fine using my old coil burner electric stove for most things, but wok cooking is best over the higher heat that really only comes from real fire.  I cut up some beef roast, against the grain and tossed it into a hot cast iron pan with some cooking oil.  Once it began to brown I added the veggies and tossed it all together.  A little ginger, chicken broth, some soy sauce, sesame and chili oil gave it the flavor I had in mind, and with some noodles it made a great meal.

Chili oil is very easy to make and I use it with a lot of wild foods.  All you really need is some dried hot pepper flakes, spices of your choice and whatever oil you like.  I like to use peanut oil.  Common crushed red pepper will work, but it often contains a lot of seeds.  I prefer Thai or Korean chili flakes.  If you grow hot peppers, that is even better – just dry them thoroughly and remove the seeds.  Put your chili flakes in a heat-proof bowl or pot, along with any spices you like.  Star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper corns, etc. all work well.  If you add raw garlic, you will need to keep the chili oil in the refrigerator and use it quickly.  If you don't add garlic, it will keep at room temperature for as long as you need it.  Heat the oil just as you would for deep frying and then pour it over the chili and spices.  There will be a lot of sizzling and popping!  A friend who owns a small family operated Chinese restaurant taught me to make chili oil because I was his only customer who liked food as hot as he does.  He had to make a more mild version for his customers and was pleased when I liked the chili oil he made for his family.  You can absolutely tailor it to your tastes.  If you don't like it as hot as I do, use a more mild pepper.  I never strain it; the crunchy bits are the best part!



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
Type your email...
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.

A listener just asked me to recommend a plant ID ap, paid or free, but I don't really use them.  Can someone recommend one that is reasonably accurate?