Latin name: Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) A. Löve & D. Löve Syn.: Aster puniceus L.
Botanical family: Asteraceae
Growth habit: Herb
Vernacular name(s): purple-stemmed aster (Eng.)
aster ponceau (Fr.)
mistasakewusk, mistahisakwiwask, mstahiysagiywusk, pawistiko (hmaskihkih, bigonbimaskgigiah, pikonbimaskig)
denek'áze'eya (hanaidíé Chipewyan)
Uses:
Mixed with another plant in a decoction drunk to treat short breath [Cree: 13].
Above-ground parts :Dried, boiled and decoction drunk repeatedly to treat kidney problems, chills, and cold sweats [Cree 13]. Used for headaches [Chipewyan 92].
Flower :Dried, decoction used to treat headache [Dene 13].
Roots :Dried, mixed with tobacco and smoked, or powdered and inhaled to treat headache. Used as a heart medicine, a diuretic and emetic tea, and as a medicine for sore kidneys. Mixed with other plants and smoked to treat "insanity". Burned on hot rocks in a sweat lodge to ease breathing [Dene 13]. Dried and used combined with other plants in a decoction used to relax and aid sleep [Metis 13]. , and in a different combination to facilitate childbirth [Cree 13]. Decoction used in fever, after childbirth, teething sickness, and amenorrhoea. Chewed for toothache. Used in facial paralysis [Cree 95]. Dried, mixed with tobacco and smoked, or powdered and inhaled to treat headache. Used as a heart medicine [Chipewyan 92]. Herbal water taken for kidney problems [Cree 93].