Abstract The essential oil of the fresh plant of Spilanthes acmella Murr. from southern India was investigated by GC and GC/MS. More than 45 components have been identifi ed including (E)-2-hexenol (25.7%), 2-tridecanone (13.1%), germacrene D (11.1%), hexanol (11.0%), Î²-caryophyllene (10.8%) and (Z)-3-hexenol (5.1%) as signifi cantly dominating compounds. Additional components, responsible for the characteristic aroma impressions of this sample are especially C6-C9 derivatives, mono- and sesquiterpenes. Key Word Index: Spilanthes acmella Asteraceaeessential oil composition(E)-2-hexenol2-tridecanonegermacrene DhexanolÎ²-caryophyllene