Aster species, particularly Aster tataricus and related plants, have been used in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Korean herbal medicine. In these traditions, Aster roots are typically used for respiratory conditions like cough, bronchitis, and phlegm. Documentation of their use specifically for treating or supporting edema (the accumulation of fluid in tissues) is limited, but some traditional herbal formulas containing Aster are used for conditions that may indirectly relate to water metabolism or fluid retention.

However, there is little direct traditional or folkloric evidence that Aster is a primary or prominent remedy for edema. The rationale for its inclusion in some multi-herb formulas for "dampness" or "phlegm" in TCM may overlap with concepts related to fluid accumulation, but this is not the same as targeted treatment of clinical edema as understood in Western medicine.

Scientific validation for Aster's use in edema is minimal. Published pharmacological studies focus mostly on its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and expectorant properties. There is a lack of robust clinical research or mechanistic studies demonstrating anti-edematous or diuretic activity. Therefore, while there is some traditional precedent for Aster in fluid-related disorders, its use for edema specifically is weakly supported and not backed by modern scientific evidence.