Only S. holostea showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC=0.1 mg/ml). Growth of Lactobacillus plantarum and Escherichia coli (ATCC 4174) were inhibited by only P. padus and M. moschata, respectively. M. moschata, P. padus and R. lutea were most active against S. aureus (MIC=0.0001, 0.0001 and 0.001 mg/ml, respectively), growth of which was also inhibited, to a lesser extent, by C. vulgaris and C. erythraea. C. vulgaris is well known for its traditional use as an antiseptic. However, it is interesting to note that many other species, like Sanicula europaea, Stachys officinalis, etc. which have traditionally been used to treat wounds and infections, were found to be inactive at test concentrations in our study. It may be that the active compounds in these plants are mainly distributed in aerial parts or roots and rhozomes, but not in seeds, or it is also possible that the species, which did not show any inhibitory activity at the test concentration, might show inhibition of bacterial growth if used in higher concentrations as the actual active compound(s) present in these extracts may be of very minute quantities.