abstract an oil of minthostachys verticillata (griseb.) epling was analyzed by gc. the main constituents identified were pulegone (63.0%) and menthone (16.4%). it was found that the oil inhibited -hexosaminidase release from basophils. forty-two percent of the cells present in lymphocyte cultures stimulated by the oil were cd8(+) t cells and showed higher ifn- levels than non-stimulated cultures (p < 0.05). according to these results, the oil was considered to be a th1 deviation inducer, inhibiting the immediate-type allergic reaction.