Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Microtoena patchoulii [(C.B. Clarke Ex J.D. Hooker) C.Y. Wu et Hsuan].

The chemical components of the essential oil obtained from the steam-distillation of Microtoena patchoulii leaves were investigated by GC and GC/MS, and twenty-one compounds were identified. The major compounds of the oil were patchouli alcohol (54.4%), 1-octen-3-ol (21.4%), and α-guaiene (2.4%). The composition of M. patchoulii oil is similar to that of commercial patchouli oil, and similar pharmacological effects could be expected when it is used as a substitute for Pogostemon cablin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]