The effect of ten phytotherapeutic products on CCl₄ intoxicated liver in albino male Wistar rats was investigated. Biochemical parameters, including serum transaminase activity (GPT and GOT), histoenzymological measurements (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH; succinate dehydrogenase, SDH, cytochromoxidase, CyOx; Mg²⁺‐dependent adenosine triphosphatase, ATP‐ase) and histochemical (Sudan black) and histological examinations (haematoxylin‐eosin staining) of the liver were investigated. Some positive effects such as the reduction of hepatocytolysis and steatosis, and a return to normal values of the activity of some enzymes in the following plants: Chrysanthemum balsamita, Echinacea pallida, Calendula officinalis and Corylus avelana were obtained. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.