volatile oils of the indian perilla [perilla frutescens (l.) britton], isolated from different phenophases, were analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (gc/fid) and gc-mass spectrometry (gc/ms). essential oil yield was varied from 0.26% to 0.35% during different phenophases of p. frutescens. however, leaves and inflorescence possessed 0.50% and 0.25% essential oil, respectively. major constituents of the oil were perilla ketone (39.5-59.3%), isoegomaketone (9.4-45.7%), (e)-caryophyllene (0.1-13.4%), and caryophyllene oxide (0.4-3.8%). perilla ketone was found to be higher at seed maturity stage (59.3%), while the amount of isoegomaketone was recorded higher during vegetative stages (39.8-43.6%). further, perilla ketone and (e)-caryophyllene were found to be higher in inflorescence, while isoegomaketone was higher in leaves. the investigated p. frutescens chemotype (perilla ketone/isoegomaketone) is new to india.