Aster tataricus, also known as the green purple she, as the Compositae aster root and rhizome, many born in the mountain or river meadow, " after this draft " cloud: " aster, three days of cloth to the seedling leaves, the leaves are connected in May June three or four, yellow purple white, Yuikuro Ko. " Every spring, autumn can be dug, removed from stem leaf and soil, its roots into pigtails, commodity called " braid aster, dried in the sun. ". Its warm, bitter taste, into the lung, pulmonary gas with temperature, phlegm cough relieving effect, commonly used in the treatment of cold wheezing cough, cough spit and Xulao, pharyngitis, childhood negative signs, pulmonary gold blood medicine. The market has to the same family plant in the aster root or rhizome of Aster posing, note when using differential.

Genuine: dry rhizome of Aster rounded bumps head shape, length of about 2 to 6 cm in diameter, about 1.5～ 3 centimeters, top stem and petiole of residual scar, bottom often have a not a net addition to mother root knot head, clusters of many fine root, root surface purplish red or gray red; texture soft, not easily broken, gray and white with purple edges cross section; the smell of micro aroma, taste sweet and slightly bitter taste in mouth.

Counterfeit: Yunnan aster for oxtail ginseng roots, irregular lump, lower end has a plurality of cylindrical root length, than the authentic long, 7 to 15 cm, surface light tan or brown; quality and brittle, easily broken, broken face slightly powder; smell odor specificity, export light bitter tasting rather cold.

From the above characteristics can identify the authenticity of the aster. Modern pharmacological research show that, with significant expectorant effect, the effect may last over 4 hours; for many pathogenic bacteria is inhibited by. And the study says, from Aster in isolated epi-friedelanol alcohol on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma has certain anti-cancer effects, and counterfeit goods, although with the genuine aster aster plants in the same family, but do not have the genuine aster above functions, it can not be used instead of aster.