Abstract Comparative study on the essential oil constituents of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Patchouli) and P. travancoricus Bedd. var. travancoricus were investigated using GC and GC/MS analysis. Eleven compounds from P. cablin oil (Patchouli) and 13 from P. travancoricus var. travancoricus oil were identified. Both species shared compounds like α- and β-patchoulene, patchouli alcohol (patchoulol), β-caryophyllene, α-guaiene, seychellene and selinene, although quantitatively less in P. travancoricus var. travancoricus.