Abstract The volatile constituents of the aerial parts of Nepeta elymatica Bornm. growing wild in Iran were examined by GC/FID and GC/MS. Altogether, 21 compounds were identified. The oil of N. elymatica consisted mainly of 4aβ,7a,7aα-nepetalactone (35.6%), 1,8-cineole (29.7%), β-pinene (5.5%), terpinen-4-ol (5.8%), α-terpineol (3.1%), γ-terpinene (2.3%), β-caryophyllene (1.8%) and α-terpinene (1.4%).