AbstractThe in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol root extract of Homalium letestui used as a malaria remedy in Southern Nigeria was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice. Homalium letestui root extract (500–1000 mg/kg/day) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) blood schizontocidal activities both in a 4‐day early infection test and in an established infection with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine, 5 mg/kg/day. The root extract possesses significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.