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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Heath Aster Description Heath aster is a native perenniel forb that grows 2' tall. Their flowers are white or pale pink, they may be sparse or packed together along the stems. The stem is initially green but as the plant matures the stem turns brown. The alternate leaves are up to 3" and 1/4 across toward the baseof the plant, becoming 1" long and 1/8" across near the flowering stems. Heath aster flowers during the months of September to October. Location and Habitat Heath aster can be found throughout Nebraska and Illinois on upland rangeland, prairies, and roadsides. It is commonly found in fields and along roadsides but some species prefer wetlands, woodlands, or even alpine areas. Heath aster can be found near the senior citizen complex on the Omaha Indian Reservation. I expected to find it near the treeline or where there is plenty of sunshine. Uses The Cherokee used heath aster as a vegetable in soups. The blackfeet used it as a laxative, pediatric aid, and a veterinary aid. The Iriquois used it as a blood medicine, gynecological aid, hunting medicine, and a love medicine. The Navajoh used heath aster as a ceremonial item. Some native americans believed that the smoke of burning heath aster was helpful in reviving a person who had fainted. Others brewed heath aster as a tea to relieve headaches. Ojibiwa hunters used heath aster to camoflouge their scent by smoking aster rootlets to simulate the scent given off by deer.
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