Abstract The volatile oil of the air-dried aerial parts of Echinophora cinerea (Boiss.) Hedge et Lamond was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The oil contained over 27 components. The major components were Î±-phellandrene (40.6%), Î±-pinene (16.5%), Î²-phellandrene (9.8%), p-cymene (7.5%), linalool (5.4%) and citronellol (4.8%).