Composition of the essential oil of Minthostachys spicata (Benth.) Epl

Abstract The essential oil of Minthostachys spicata (Benth.) Epl. was obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of the plant in a 0.53% yield related to the dry weight. The composition of the oil was analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The oil was found to contain 54.7% oxygenated monoterpenes, the major compounds being menthone (14.5%), 2‐hydroxy‐ p ‐menth‐1‐en‐3‐one (12.5%) and pulegone (9.7%). Spathulenol (4.9%) was the principal oxygenated sesquiterpene. There were few monoterpene hydrocarbons (3.2%) with limonene as the main component of this fraction. β‐Caryophyllene (4.9%) and viridiflorene (3.5%) were the most abundant sesquiterpene hydrocarbons.