Guest Author - Diana Pederson

What does the topic of the following book have to do with this columns topic: Christian Literature? Dandelions are thought to be one of the “bitter herbs” used during the first Passover! I’ve learned over my lifetime that plants mentioned in the Bible have a purpose. Most horticulturists/botanists studying Bible plants believe that Dandelions were one of the bitter herbs used by the Jews. We don’t know if this plant was collected in the wild or if it was cultivated in their herb gardens. Once you read the following book, I believe you will appreciate God creating such a useful flower for us.

Anital Sanchez. The Teeth of the Lion: The Story of the Beloved and Despised Dandelion. McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company. 2006.

The Teeth of the Lion is the only book written about dandelions! This book is fascinating as it traces some of the history of dandelions. The author states in her introduction:

I think it’s fair to say that no other plant in the world has been linked with such a wildly diverse assortment of cultures and times. Early American Shakers advertised Extract of Dandelion as a liver tonic; Japanese gardeners formed dandelion horticultural societies to celebrate the beauty of the golden blossoms. Arab and Chinese physicals wrote of its medical benefits a thousand years ago, and herbalists swear by it to this day. Greek philosophers, ancient Jewish rabbis, Native American shamans, New England witches … to each of these, the dandelion showed a different face, gave a different message. …

I was surprised to learn that the dandelion was brought to North America by the first settlers, and later, carried across the continent as this land was settled from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. Clearly, it must be a valuable plant for the pioneers to so carefully make sure they would have access to it in their new homesteads.

Recommendation

You will find everything you ever wanted to know about Dandelions between the covers of this book. I suspect reading it will cause you to STOP using pesticides or weed diggers when it appears in your lawns. You might even want to grow a row of it in your gardens this next summer. That will probably convince your neighbors that you are ready for the funny farm though!

After reading about the vitamins found in dandelions, and all the uses of their flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, I searched online for a source for organically grown Dandelion seeds. Next summer I will be growing the “French Improved” variety in flower boxes so that I might sample their young leaves in some spring or fall salads. I already drink dandelion tea (mixed with a more flavorful tea) and occasionally give it to my pet birds because of its ability to detoxify the liver.

May I suggest surprising your favorite gardener with this book this holiday season? It may be available in your local bookstore or it can be ordered from the the publisher’s website.