We studied the total polyphenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and ${alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition of water extracts from 17 medicinal plants. Total polyphenol contents ranged from 10.0 (Coix lachryma-jobi L, CL) ~ 279.7 (Perilla sikokiana, PS)mg/g. The water extract from medicinal plants were evaluated for its free radical scavenging activities and compared with a commercial antioxidant, ascorbic acid. DPPH radical scavenging activity of Pyrus pyrifolia (PP), Chamaecyparis obtusa L. (COL), Chamaecyparis obtusa F. (COF), and PS were higher than positive control. Higher hydroxyl radical scavenging activity were shown in Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) and Cordyceps militaris (CM) than the other plants. The highest anti-${alpha}$-glucosidase activity was observed in Cornus officinalis (CO) and Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (PSA) water extracts. PSA showed not only the higher DPPH radical scavenging activity but also the anti-${alpha}$-glucosidase activity. The results of our study that PP, COL, COF, PS, AS, CM, CO and PSA could be potential candidates for natural antioxidants.