New England aster flowers are generally found in meadows and other moist, well draining soils. The New England aster plant has medium green to gray-green foliage with an odor somewhat reminiscent of turpentine when crushed. Entire plant is aromatic, resinous, and sticky to the touch when crushed.
Traditional uses and benefits of New England Aster — Before using any plant medicine, please do your research.
Decoction of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of all kinds of fevers and in the treatment of weak skin.
Poultice has been used in the treatment of pain, fevers, and diarrhea.
Root is analgesic, astringent, expectorant and febrifuge.
Ooze of the roots has been sniffed in the treatment of catarrh.
It is slightly astringent on the tongue, making the mouth feel dry.
Cherokee use a poultice of the roots for pain, an infusion of the roots for diarrhea, and sniff the ooze from the roots for catarrh. They also take an infusion of the plant for fever.
Chippewa smoke the roots in pipes to attract game.
Iroquois use a decoction of the plant for weak skin, a decoction of the roots and leaves for fevers, the plant as a “love medicine”, and an infusion of whole plant and rhizomes from another plant to treat mothers with intestinal fevers.
Meskwaki smudge the plant and use it to revive unconscious people.
Prairie Potawatomi use it as a fumigating reviver.