ANALYSIS OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF DRACOCEPHALUM HETEROPHYLLUM BENTH

AIM: To study the chemical components of essential oil of the Chinese medicinal herb Dracocephalum heterophyllum Benth. METHODS: The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. RESULTS: 86 compounds have been identified which contains a large number of terpenes. The medicinal effects of these compounds have been analyzed preliminarily. CONCLUSION: Of the total compositions, the essential oil of Dracocephalum heterophyllum Benth contains about 60% medicinal compounds, with antiasthmatic, anticoughing and disinfectant actions. Among them the content of citronellol reached 50 7%, then followed by linalool, citronellal, eucalyptol and caryophyllene etc. Therefore, Dracocephalum heterophyllum Benth is a kind of valuable plant not only for its medicinal value but also for its economical benefit.