Aster atticus, Starwort

Asteriscos, Asterion, Bubonium, Bubo Grass, Inguinalis
Astaratiqus (Unani)

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Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Florum, et coronariarum odoratarumque nonnullarum herbarum historia, Dodoens, 1569

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Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

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A. Masclef, Atlas des plantes de France, vol. 2: t. 174 (?)

Botanical name:

Aster atticus (syn. A amellus)
A. tripolium appears to have been used too.

Many Aster species were recognised. the Purple-flowered variety was preferred.
Salmon listed a number of varieties:
1. True or Yellow Starwort
2. Purple Italian Starwort
3. Fleabane-like Starwort
4. Lesser Purple Starwort, or French Purple Starwort
5. Several types of Virginian Starwort

Parts used:

Flower; whole herb is used externally

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral, Pungent, Bitter

Uses:

1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison, Resolves Swellings: 

-abscess of the Throat (Dioscorides)
-Scrofula, swollen Lymph nodes (especially of the Groin); Plague Buboes (Pliny, Galen)
-Bites of Rabid Dogs (Dioscorides); Snake Bite (Pliny)
-Gastritis, Burning Pain of the Stomach (Salmon, Dioscorides)

2. Settles Wind:

-Epilepsy in children (Dioscorides)
-Sciatica (was used as an amulet, Pliny)

3. Externally:

-applied to Plague Buboes (Dioscorides)
-applied to swollen Lymph nodes, Scrofula (Ointment, Cataplasm etc)
-as a wash for Inflammation and Pain of the Eyes
-applied fresh for inflammation of the Thighs
-inflammation of the Ureter (apply plaster)
-Hemorrhoids, Inflammation of the Anus (apply juice)

Dose:

Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–6 grams

Comment:

This is closely related to the Chinese Aster tartaricus Zi Wan which is also a Purple Aster (the Purple variety of the Western Aster also being preferred). However, TCM uses the Root, the Flower or whole herb being used in the Western Tradition. The Chinese Aster is primarily used for Cough, and, being fairly Neutral in character, may be used for Cough from Heat, Cold or Deficiency, depending on the herbs its used with. Interestingly, the Chinese Aster was also noted as being useful for Childhood Convulsions in Traditional texts, this being an indication for the Western Aster too.

Main Combinations:

1. Inflammation of the Lymph nodes, Scrofula, Starwort with Figwort

Major Formulas:


Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:


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