Extract of picrorhiza kurroa plants and a process for making the same. The extract has strong anti-viral action against both DNA and RNA-based viruses, and also against bacterial, fungal and protozoan microorganisms. The extract essentially contains the lipophilic compounds occurring in the scrophulariaceae family of plants, in particular, the terpenes and fatty acids thereof. The extract may additionally contain other said lipophilic compounds and the aglycons of the glycosides occurring in said family of plants.