Abstract Essential oil from the leaves of Syzygium gardneri was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty compounds representing 88.8% of the oil were identified. The major constituent in the oil was caryophyllene oxide (49.6%). Monoterpenes were detected in low percentage (1.2%). The oil was tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as against the fungi Candida albicans and C.glabrata.