The temperature resistance may be an indication that the phytoconstituents can withstand higher temperatures. This also explains the traditional usage of these plant parts where a very high temperature is used to boil them and for a longer period of time. The antibacterial activity of the extracts slightly increased at acidic pH. Increase in activity of phyotoconstituents in the presence of acidic medium has earlier been reported8 . The local application of these plants involves the addition of high doses of potash which is a strong basic salt, and for the fact that the activity of the extracts reduced at alkaline pH in this study, it may explain why the plant concoction is taken for longer period of time before any curative effect is noticed.