Abstract The essential oil of Salvia palaestina Benth. (Lamiaceae), grown in Lebanon, obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial parts was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-four compounds were identifi ed constituting 96.4% of the oil, the major components being sclareol (20.2%), Î²-caryophyllene (16.6%) and linalool (8.6%). The oil shows activity against Gram-positive bacteria.