Abstract The genus Eriocephalus (Asteraceae) is endemic to South Africa where some of the species are used traditionally to treat dermal infections, gastro-intestinal disorders, and upper respiratory tract infections. In vitro screening for the presence of anti-oxidants was carried out on acetone leaf extracts of 22 species (80 samples) collected from wild populations using the 2,2, diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. The extracts showed moderate activity with the IC 50 values ranging between 21.5 μg ml − 1 ( E. punctulatus ) and 79 μg ml − 1 . The hydrodistilled essential oils were also tested but did not show activity at the starting concentration of 100 μg ml − 1 . Essential oils of seventeen species were screened for the presence of inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase enzyme. The IC 50 values ranged between 19 μg ml − 1 ( E. africanus ) and 98.9 μg ml − 1 . Variation between and within natural populations with respect to the activities tested is also documented.