The antibacterial potential of cold water, hot water (100 o C), ethanol and chloroform extracts of Ocimum gratisssimum leaves were tested against some pathogenic bacteria known to cause diaorrhoea; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella sp. and Salmonella sp. Cold water and chloroform extracts did not show any effect on the test organisms. Only ethanol extract and hot water (100 o C) extracts had inhibitory effects on the test organisms. All the test organisms were susceptible to

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... nol extract with zones of inhibition which ranged from 6mm -11mm and minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 30 -60mg/ml. The test organisms were also susceptible to hot water extract with zones of inhibition ranging from 5mm -10mm and minimum inhibitory concentration of range 25 -70mg/ml. Due to the antimicrobial activity of Ocimum gratisssimum, it is therefore conceivable that it should be used to treat cases of diarrhea caused by the test organisms.