Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate phytochemical component and anti-stress potential of aqueous root extract of Alchornea cordifolia in mice. The phytochemical tests showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins and alkaloids. The antistress activity was evaluated using the forced swimming endurance and anoxic tolerance test. These activities were tested at oral doses of 100-400 mg kg-1 of the extract  using Panax ginseng as experimental control. In the forced swimming test, A. cordifolia (100-400 mg kg-1, p.o) significantly prolonged the swimming time in a dose dependent manner. The swimming time (sec) was increased from 313.8±18.24 in the control group to 434.2±20.50 and 531.0±16.58 in groups pre-treated with 200 and 400 mg kg-1 of the extract respectively. In the same vein, the extract dose dependently prolonged the mean time (min) to onset of clonic convulsion, the onset of clonic convulsion was increased from 23.6±0.51 in control group to 39.4±1.84 and 52.0±1.30 in groups pretreated with 200 and 400 mg kg-1 of the extract, respectively. This ability of A. cordifolia to prolong both the swimming time and onset of clonic convulsion, therefore suggest an antistress property.