Abstract The essential oil of Salvia nubicola Wall ex Sweet. (Lamiaceae) was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sixty-four compounds were identified, constituting 94.0% of the oil. The oil was found rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (73.3%). Germacrene D (46.2%) was the principal constituent. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes constituted 12.3% of the oil. The oil showed activity against tested bacterial and fungal strains used, and which was found comparable with the standard antibiotics (Ampicillin, Erythromycin and Clotrimazole) used for comparison.