Composition of the herb essential oil of <i>Hyptis spicigera</i> Lam.

Abstract

Abstract The essential oil isolated from aerial parts of Hyptis spicigera Lam., used for example in baths in northern Nigeria, was analysed by capillary GC. Forty‐three components of the oil were identified, among which many occurred in small quantities. The identity of the components was confirmed by GC–MS using an ion trap detector. The oil was characterized by a high content of β‐caryophyllene (68%) and the presence of C 16 and C 18 fatty acid methyl esters. The present paper describes the analysis of the essential oil of H. spicigera , family Lamiaceae, grown in Nigeria. Neither phytochemical nor pharmacological studies on the plant have been reported previously.