Tatarian Aster

About 250 species of rhizomatous and fibrous-rooted perennial, a few annuals and biennials, are included in this genus, widely distributed in N America, Africa, and Eurasia. The New England aster (A. novae-angliae), and several other species commonly grown as ornamentals, such as A. ericoides and A. lateriflorus, were used medicinally by native American tribes. The use of A. novae-angliae, both internally and externally, as a remedy for eruptive skin diseases, and rashes caused by poison ivy and poison oak, were first described by Constantine Rafinesque in Medical Flora or Manual of Medical Botany of the United States (1828, 1830). A. tataricus is cultivated in China for medicinal use but is rarely used in the West. It was first mentioned in Chinese medicinal literature c.CE200. The common name "Michaelmas Daisy" was given to A. novi-belgii, another N American species, when the Gregorian calendar was introduced, which brought Michaelmas forward by 11 days (to September 29), the time of flowering.

Tall perennial, with a thickened stem base and long-stalked, elliptic, roughly hairy leaves, up to 40cm (16in) long, with strongly toothed margins. Flat-topped corymbs of purple to blue, daisy-like flowers, about 5cm (2in) across. open in summer and autumn.

Common Name:	Tatarian Aster
Botanical Name:	Aster tataricus
Genus:	Aster
Family:	Asteraceae
Native Location:	Siberia, Mongolia, Korea, China and Japan
Cultivation:	Moist soil in sun or partial shade. May suffer from mildew in dry conditions.
Propagation:	By seed sown in autumn or spring; by division in spring.
Harvest:	Roots are lifted in autumn and used raw, or dried for decoctions.
Height:	1.5-2m (5-6ft)
Width:	1-1.2m (3-4ft)
Hardiness:	Z3-8
Parts Used:	Roots (zi wan)
Properties:	A stimulant, expectorant herb that helps clear infection from the bronchial system.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis. Often taken raw with honey to increase the expectorant effect.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 136