Abstract Essential oil of Aspilia africana found in Nigeria was investigated by GC and GC/MS analyses. The oil was characterized by the dominance of sesquiterpenes (58.0%). Sesquiterpenes, like Î²-caryophyllene (10.8%) and germacrene D (15.6%), and a monoterpene hydrocarbon, Î±-pinene (13.6%), formed the major components of A. africana oil.