The entry on medicinal uses was for Brickellia arguta B.L.Rob., which is treated here as a synonym of Brickellia atractyloides as per the Flora of North America[]. However, some other works are treating Brickellia arguta as a distinct species.

Common Name:

General Information

Brickellia atractyloides is a shrub with densely branched stems; it can grow 20 - 50cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern N. America - California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, northwest Mexico

Habitat

Desert mountain slopes, rock crevices, cliff faces, talus slopes, outwash fans; at elevations from 100 - 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.35 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in any moderately fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in full sun or in light shade[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of he leaf is used in the treatment of diabetes, diarrhoea, stomach pain, colic, and gallbladder disease[]

The plant contains flavonoids. Preliminary research suggests that the flavonoids in brickellia might have antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. Other research suggest brickellia flavonoids might have antidiabetic and anticataract effects, possibly by inhibiting aldose reductase[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring[].