EatTheWeeds: Episode 109: Bull Thistle II

[@michellemorales4242]

Thank you, while all my neighbors are chopping down all the bull thistle and other important weeds in their yards I'm the only one out there trimming them and using them medicinally, this is so helpful thank you so much.

[@EatTheWeeds]

When I was a kid in Maine we used to cut the buds off, hang them up, and watch them turn in to cottony balls of fluff (which by the way is great tinder when dry.)

[@Jenny7878]

Don't get the jab how prophetic❤😂

[@ondinehd6889]

Last year, a plant that looked like a star, very low on the ground, appeared in my garden. Looked very pretty. Everyone said, without telling me what the plant was, "that's a weed, and prickly at that. Mow it, or cut it. You should't have that here." But I left it alone... A year later, my thistle looks like a tree! It is more than 6 feet tall, has branches, or "arms," that stretch out all around, and down to the ground, and it has many, many purple flowers, and they keep coming, on this mid-August! Amazing and beautiful large butterflies, which I had never seen in my garden before, now come daily to drink their nectar. Thistle, a weed? I don't think so! One of the most beautiful, ornamental plants I have ever seen! So, I will definitely plant more, so that in two years, at the end of the season, I'll have enough to cut some of the branches, peel them, and eat them just like celery. They cleanse your liver!

[@gwens5093]

Chemical companies have done a great job of demonizing medicinal plants.

[@ondinehd6889]

@@gwens5093 This year, mid July 2020, I have now nine beautiful, tall, thistle plants! The flowers are getting ready to bloom. These are the "babies" of the original one plant that everyone was telling me to mow down! Last year they were low on the ground, in the form of a star, the whole season, and this year they are shooting up. They really have a two year cycle. Many new baby plants will appear next year, from this year flowers! Amazing to watch the whole two year cycle.

[@ondinehd6889]

@Robert Gardea Actually, you are the one who is an idiot! This is one of the many ways one can eat "bull thistle:" kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5ScZauDgNmNj8U. And why the heck should I "buy" a butterfly bush, when I can get these "bull thistles" for free? This year my thistles have produced thousands and thousands of beautiful seeds that look like snowflakes, and which the winds have blown in every possible direction. As the French motto for the Larousse dictionary says: "Je sème à tout vent," and proud of it!

[@ondinehd6889]

@Robert Gardea PS: I wonder who the "hillbilly" is, because you can't even spell "your Hillbillies" in your sentence! Either you spell it "[....unless] YOU ARE Hillbillies," or "... you're etc." the word "your" is a possessive, so you can't use it in your sentence. Brush up on your grammar before you call others "hillbillies!" And BTW, I do NOT GROW thistle, neither do I plant it. It plants and grows itself, and I simply do not interfere, and I will never use toxic products to get rid of plants either.

[@succulentqueen7737]

I agree, I think they are so beautiful. A few years back one appeared in my amaryllis pot, but it looked so interesting I kept it, and sure enough when it bloomed I knew it was a thistle. The flowers are so beautiful. Now 3 years later I have 11 growing in my pots. They are a pleasure to watch them go to seed too. Sometimes I pull the seed hairs out and blow them into the wind like a dandelion, as I have Hope's for the seeds to grow new plants elsewhere. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYbPh5KVZdlnmpY

[@blueskies6475]

A Mediterranean restaurant served something free; it was😀marinated vegetables in vinegar and spices. The thistle was the best! 👌

[@DK-qx3lv]

I love your videos AND your articles. You give me a good education and a good laugh every time!!!!! Thank you.

[@lauralafleur7824]

Thank you! I have been wanting to forage these in my area, Southwest Washington State, and hadn't found any other information as good as yours here. This is only the second video of yours I've watched, but I am already a fan! I have a facebook page for foraging, and shared this and the other video link, plus your website link there. Hooray for you! I can't wait to watch all of your videos! :)

[@EatTheWeeds]

Its dried flowers have been used as a rennet.

[@carbotradingcompany4794]

I've tried it and it works for goats milk. Not cows milk though.

[@Light_Worker]

I tried to cook bull thistle last year and its too much work. So, I just juice through my omega juicer and drink as medicine in the morning. I do the same with nettles, dandelion and etc.,

[@davidflash603]

What does rhe nettle provide you in health benefits?

[@thetrav2100]

@@davidflash603 im curious as whell is it like devils club, ginseng like qualities id assume?

[@aleph-tavunutterable1585]

+@@davidflash603 Stinging nettle is the most nutritious plant on earth. It is packed with magenesium and can be used in dishes like kale. You can dry nettles and make a tea - great for people with inflammation issues like Lupus or gas pains.

[@debrabrooks6138]

To me dandelion is best sauteed with butter, hard boiled egg, onions, mushrooms with vinegar, honey and milk and bacon! great with Dock and wild onions!

[@Mrsmarie1064]

Nettles tea is good for high blood pressure.

[@Me4peace]

I'm glad I found your channel. You do a great job. Can you talk a little more about how to identify the plants and any common imposters that look similar to the plant you are presenting. Much thanks to you!

[@EatTheWeeds]

@VTwanderer All cirsiums are edible, though not all palatable. The Canadian thistle is Cirsium arvense. The thistle I showed is a different cirsium.

[@gwynedd1]

I was surprised to find that young Canadian Thistle, Cirsium arvense does tend to soften after boiling on young shoots under a foot. If you then puree them in a food processor they are completely harmless and quite tasty for leafy green recipes. So while not possible on bull thistle , its a good option on that species I have found. Since I seem to find more of that species I was quite happy to discover this.

[@-AT-WALKER]

Deane you have an amazing teaching style. You remind me of Bob Ross the Artist, very thorough and a pleasure to listen to. I watch your videos and all of a sudden the plants in my house seem some what appetizing....any rules for unknown orchids? hehe

[@viveviveka2651]

Would pressure cooking would soften the spines?

[@greendeane1]

I don't know. I haven't tried it. But I doubt so.

[@KishorTwist]

All the thistles, invasive or not, produce really nice flowers! Good nectar plants too!

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thanks... now I have to go change the bandade...the plant got me a good one.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Thistle seed oil is good to eat or for lamp use but difficult to get in any quantities. Twelve pounds of seeds will yield three pounds of oil.

[@conflictsofinterests]

The main flower stalk once stripped of its leaves is also very edible and great for pickling. Easier to harvest with longer knife or machete, takes seconds and sometimes the grown flower stalks can actually contain a bit of water inside!

[@RobertTaylortaytorhead]

Can you eat the leaves if you put it in a Vitamix and chop up the spines till there's no more spines you can do that with prickly pear cactus

[@wanjuchien4208]

This could be my second or third favorite wild edible. 1, polk weed, then either this or milk weed. I eat the stalk, peel of the skin part, it is tender and very delicious stir fry. there is nothing taste like really.

[@authorauthority7193]

I guess down south it is a different species. Here in missouri in march i just harvested about 6 plants to give it a try and they were so tender they broke off while harvesting and boiled they were totally soft but maintained a bit of crunch. Much more tender than a carrot actually. Next time ill wash them in the creek so i dont go wasting so much water

[@TemplarX2]

Good to know. There is plenty of these where I forage wild onions which I used instead of green onions to make stir fried noodles. I might give musk thistle (as it is called here) a try as a white tuber alternative to carrot.

[@Leachiano2025]

I live in the UK and got some thistle type plants growing. Some purple flowers growing on them. They are a UK type thistle. Look different to what I've seen on here. Can I still eat them? And what do you think to growing then Indoors with organic soil? I've heard there amazing for the liver to. Along with dandelions

[@utubemouse]

Please allow closed captioning! It helps a lot. Thanks for considering it!

[@greendeane1]

I have no idea how to do that.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Euell Gibbons and a friend were hunting unsuccessfully for several days in Canada, were hungry, shot a bobcat and cooked it. Euell said while eating it his friend said "The Bob part tasted good but the cat part didn't." Generally we don't eat carnivores. The meat can be strong, takes aging. Then again, I've also had bear sausage.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

hello Dean, Did you get a new camera?, it seems the outdoor shoot was more crisp and clearer than usual. Appreciate your attempts at humor in your videos, seperates your videos from most on youtube. thanks again for sharing.

[@DreidMusicalX]

I have these all over my yard and in a field next to me that grow about 3ft or more high with a stalk they send out that has a pinkish white fuzzy flower on top. I have been trying to get rid of them because so many it hurts walking through them. Now I know I can eat them. Hmmm... Are they edible the entire time the season you see them growing, or is spring time the only good time, like now here in TX?

[@2qlrn273]

I know someone whose yard grew many of this plant, & she's been throwing its leaves to her chickens who reportedly just love them! (I can't imagine how they haven't become impaled on those many very sharp spikes all over it!)

[@richardestes4259]

Did you have a video on velvet leaf?

[@EatTheWeeds]

The young leaves of the S. marianum are edible raw or cooked after being trimmed of spines. Peeled stems can be used in salad and or soaked in water to reduce bitternessthen stewed.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@EatTheWeeds Yes, but they store well in a cool place.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes I did... in Maine.

[@guardemdog]

Are you saying the roots should be harvested in the fall up north? We have ones that look just like what you showed in oregon in May.

[@HiNinqi]

Do the spines soften with pickling? Anyone convert them into sugar and make wine?

[@greendeane1]

The spines do not soften with cooking or pickling. There's not much sugar to convert for wine making.

[@Kirinluke]

Exellent! I've got a couple of these in my back yard and now I know they can feed me.

[@hipolitozamorano2214]

Sir is texas hogwort plant dangerous if my potbelly pig 🐖 eats it thanks

[@ObscureMusicInCatalan]

Thanks for the video :) I enjoy the information of your channel, keep it up!!

[@hipolitozamorano2214]

Real nice information is also called mexican thistle or is it a different plant

[@DavidAtchison121]

how about the very young shoots and early leaves before the spines form?

[@greendeane1]

They tend to be prickly even when young.

[@DavidAtchison121]

Green Deane thank you.

[@norel457]

I used to eat the second year main stalk when I was a kid, it tasted so good!! sadly I'm not close to nature anymore...

[@EatTheWeeds]

@virtualnoodles Yes, that is when it is at its best, at the end of the first year.

[@Sshadowing]

couscous the cat so nice they named it twice, thanks for all the awesome videos!

[@joharihunter8343]

It would be good to know the nutritional benefits.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@Frrrrrrrrunkis It won't let me post it. It is my 11th video. In you tube search for eattheweeds thistle.

[@EatTheWeeds]

FInding it may depend upon the season and where you live.

[@EatTheWeeds]

@HappyBirthdaySANTA Great. Just make sure it is a cirsium.

[@EatTheWeeds]

One of the best places to find bull thistles et cetara is in pastures... most grazers leave them alone.

[@FLSweatt]

Where have you been all my life? I cannot wait to take your class.

[@cptray-steam]

I tried to eat some, but it was kind of hard to chew after boiling them, is it better to fry or boil them roots?

[@maiasamir-artandnature3673]

we live in Romania and our yard is full of cirsium vulgare, we’re sure never going to starve !

[@WaltherGrube]

Hi Deane! Long time no weed! ;) Cirsium sp and Silybum sp are very interesting plants, I guess what I've found here in Brazil is S. marianum (have to check this). A friend of mine just planted it in his garden because of the beautiful flowers, now I'll try to eat it... NOM NOM happy 2010!

[@schlaznger8049]

Is there a book the would tell me what the weeds and plantlife are in my yard in Central Texas? Thanks

[@idaklymr]

schlaznger I found an app for Idaho called Idaho wild flowers and it is amazing, you pick what color flowers are in the app than how many petals and how the leaves are arranged and it keeps eliminating plants that don't fit. The same company had one for East Texas and West Texas. Super easy to narrow down your search

[@odyARTsee]

is this the same kind that you can use for rennent for cheese?

[@Original50]

Bane of my tenting life! The times I've pitched-up over one of these...!

[@debrabrooks6138]

I have read somewhere in my searches you can melt off the spines by quickly running the leaf through a flame, is that true?

[@greendeane1]

I don't think they melt but you can burn them off.

[@debrabrooks6138]

@@greendeane1 Ahh true! :)

[@FourSeasonsGal]

thanks so very much for all your videos -- VERY helpful for these times..

[@coralofyt]

have you ever had cat?

[@EatTheWeeds]

I see no problem with the juice, the only issue is spines. They are quite formidable.

[@lilil2081]

Thank you so much for sharing this 🙏 Amituofo 🙏

[@WorldlySurvivor]

Could these roots and others be dehydrated and eaten later?

[@EatTheWeeds]

If you mean all Cirsiums, to my knowledge, yes though the quality varies.

[@asapickard9519]

Really like the video good information about thistles

[@virtualnoodles]

can you eat the roots of first year growth?

[@Tammy.50]

Excellent

[@booshwaa2]

i was looking at your website and it says on there you can make oil from the seeds. but i can't seem to find how to get seed to oil. can you explain the process of this. thanks for any advice and can this be done with pot and pan or are special equipment necessary for this

[@greendeane1]

+booshwaa2 They have to be harvested then pressed.

[@jeremydehart7466]

How long did you boil them, my friend?

[@greendeane1]

Until tender, just a few minutes.

[@seabeaner]

nice vid. the thorns on these things are horrible. i did not know that so much of the plant was edible, but that is why i watch your vids.

[@MariaTorres-zt6jf]

Will you send me a picture of lamsd quarter I live in Florida

[@BoingotheClown]

Are all thistles edible in this way?

[@alonealotta]

I spend alot of time in the Everglades ...what is the best thing I can eat out there ? Thanks=)

[@goatforest9974]

Crawfish?

[@Zidana123]

5:30 KITTEH! "And they can make--they can also turn the water dark when they're cooking." Wow, thanks! You've just solved a mystery for me... I've been making thistle tea lately and I noticed that if I steep them for 20ish+ minutes the water turns dark, almost blueish. It doesn't seem to change the taste of the tea, but I've been wondering about the color thing alot.

[@garden-gh]

Beautiful ❤️ I love this plant

[@davidflash603]

some greene was calling it swamp cabbage and said u get buzzed off the tea. any truth to that???

[@EatTheWeeds]

Yes, Santa and my birthday produce a new camera, but the sound is not as good, so I am struggling with audio issues when I use the cameras together. And I note you refer to my "attempts" at humor... apparently I am not succeeding at it.... I'll try harder....

[@merlinswhiskerssw]

Prophetic 🌱🔆🌱

[@EatTheWeeds]

Wow.... even I'm not current with me....

[@paulabrown5243]

Glad to know these are edible, they have beautiful scarlet red bloom.

[@odin422]

Sir your Weeds and Wolves article is BRILLIANT, independent adult weeds, haha awesome and true.

[@aaronf8915]

Liked when he took a nap😂😂

[@coralofyt]

That is so funny!! I Imagine cat would be like alligator, if not what then? in china cats are common food so what are they like?

[@nicolea2839]

The flower of Scotland

[@EatTheWeeds]

No... it is all edible raw... you can boil it or roast it.... I think it tastes much better cooked but in a survival situation raw works.

[@DowntownSound1]

EatTheWeeds ----- Hello. Big fan here. Love your Work. Most vegetarians I know are too skinny. Youre not too skinny. What do you recommend to Keep some muscle? Thanks. 👍

[@EatTheWeeds]

Seriously, I'd love to do that...

[@jennyanimal9046]

I eat my weeds and smoke it too.🥰😁🙌🔥❤️🕊️ I'm getting ready to harvest a bull weed I have a dozen of Salsify I'm going to do something with. Do you make pesto with your weeds? In the spring I like to make chickweed and dandy lion pesto sauce in the summer I like to make purslane and dandy lion greens pesto dandelions

[@greendeane1]

CHickweed is good for pesto.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Dean, I did not communicate well, your attmpts do succeed. I laughed when you showed yourself lying down in the midst of digging. It was keatonesque.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Because I stuck the thick of my thumb with one of the spines on the plant. Later in the video you can see a bandage on my hand.

[@puppetfriends_1427]

Better if you only cut it so can keep roots in the ground for next year.

[@electrolux1205]

I have lots of bull thistle in my back yard; but didnt know its edible til now

[@DruTraneX]

Nice! Thank you!

[@stambo2001]

Great vid, thanks!

[@ScottRauber]

thanks again!!!

[@Sofiarivassculptor]

Sorry about the spine. It's a good video. I think I saw that plant near by. In a emergency situation will save someone live

[@ChrisPBacon-rs9iv]

wut

[@thetacountry4487]

Yes you can use it as a weapon

[@EatTheWeeds]

By C.A.D. CUTLERY CO. Also visit Cultery Lover on You Tube.

[@EatTheWeeds]

Alligators cone to mind.... hmmm... the best thing... probably the various parts of the cattail.

[@firebrandsgirl]

@McGuireInK ohhhhh but Bob Ross could make you go to sleep in pure happiness. I was kid when he was on TV. Everyone new about the painting man from Saturday TV.

[@virtualnoodles]

@virtualnoodles oops i meant second year

[@buttons3232]

I love learning about the edible plants in nature. I’m a new sub now, partly because of the cat. 🐈🐈‍⬛ All of this just reminds me of “home”. 🇺🇸😎🇺🇸

[@Bluebirdray]

The Irish ate so they would not starve to death

[@EatTheWeeds]

@Lee68Perry Maybe we're too poor to have a spouse.

[@MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[@PathsOfReason]

Thank you .this is very helpful; we should return to mother nature.

[@choowee]

you need a tv show