The Aster - The History and Healing Powers of the Aster Flower

European Asters were once called star worts. Aster is Latin for star which is referring to the flower's star like shape. The word wort means root and this was used for plants that were used for healing like the Aster. Asters were beaten with hog's grease and used for rabid or mad dog bites.

In 1637, the North American Asters were brought to Virginia. These were not popular until they were altered with the European Aster. These were later renamed the Michaelmas daisy because the Saint Michael's feast happened at the same time as the flower bloomed. There is also a more sensitive variety of the Aster and that is the Chinese Aster. This is only considered an Aster because of the star like flower.

There are over 120 species of the Aster in the United States alone. Most are located in the east where they grow wild in the fields in late summer and fall. Each star like flower is really a small cluster called a flower head. The center flowers are bright yellow and the outer flowers vary from blue and white to purple. Asters are characteristic flowers that you might find anywhere wildflowers grow such as open fields or along the side of a road. You are equally as likely to find the hearty aster growing in wooded areas, swamps, or along the seashore. The New York aster has flowers with a blue violet hue and slender, even leaves. The Heart-leaved Aster is named after its heart shaped leaves found at the foot of the stalk. This Aster flower has small lilac shaded blossoms