The aqueous extract of Swertia chirata Buch Ham. Root (ASC) (Family: Gentianaceae) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on Brewer's yeastinduced pyrexia in albino rats and Typhoid-Paratyphoid A, B vaccine induced Hyperexia in rabbits. In both models, the extract, at dose of 200 mg kg −1 body wt. and 400 mg kg −1 body weight, produced significant (p<0.001) reduction in elevated body temperature in a dose dependent manner. The antipyretic effect of the extract was comparable to that of paracetamol (150 mg kg −1 body weight, p.o.), a standard antipyretic agent.