Abstract The essential oil from leaves of Hyptis pectinata Poit. from the Kumaon region of India was analyzed by GC, GC/MS, GC/FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Thirty-three constituents, mainly mono- and sesquinoids, were identified. The oil composition has been compared with that of the oils obtained from H. pectinata growing on the Fiji Islands and in West Africa. The insecticidal properties of the oil have been discussed briefly.