Abstract The essential oil of Nepeta racemosa (Lamiaceae) was prepared by hydrodistillation and was analysed by a combination of GC and GCâMS. Twentyâfour components were identiï¬ed, constituting approximately 99.3% of the oil. The major constituents of essential oil were 4a β ,7 α ,7a β ânepetalactone (33.6%), 4a α ,7 α ,7 aβ ânepetalactone (25.6%), 4a α ,7 α ,7a α ânepetalactone (24.4%) and 1,8âcineole (9%). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.