abstract the antifungal action of eight (lavandula hybrid, salvia officinalis l., rosmarinus officinalis l., thymus vulgaris l., origanum vulgare l., mentha piperita l., coriandrum sativum l. and laurus nobilis l.) essential oils was tested in vitro against phytophtora cinnamomi rads., pyrenochaeta lycopersici kleb. and verticillium dahliae kleb., using different concentrations (up to 1600 ppm). the fungistatic + fungicidal activity of the oils was determined, and the most effective essential oils were found to be those of oregano, thyme, peppermint and coriander. moreover, the oils were tested to determine the antifungal activity against two fungi (candida albicans, trichophyton mentagrophytes) that are pathogens for humans. key word index: lavandula hybrid mentha piperita origanum vulgare rosmarinus officinalis salvia officinalis thymus vulgaris lamiaceae coriandrum sativum apiaceae laurus nobilis lauraceaeantifungal activityessential oil composition-pinenep-cymene1,8-cineole-terpinene-thujonelinaloolcamphormenthonementhofuranborneolmenthol-terpineollinalyl acetatethymolcarvacrol-terpinyl acetate