Composition of the Essential Oil of Stachys lavandulifolia from Central Zagros Mountains

Stachys lavandulifolia is a native plant that has been used as an anxiolytic and sedative in Iranian folk medicine. In Iran, 34 species of this genus are present, among which 13 are endemic. The plant is known as Chay-e-kohi in Persian and its English name is betony. It is used as herbal tea in gastrointestinal disorders. Tea made from the whole plant or leaves is used for its sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic and emmenagogic activity. The decoction of leaves and flowers is used by the tribal people of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari for the treatment of skin infection, menorrhagia and as an antibacterial agent. Also, the aerial part of Stachys lavandulifolia has been used by tribal people of Ilam Province West Iran, as carminative, sedative and cardiotonic, and for treatment of rheumatism, indigestion and headache. The essential oil of Stachys lavandulifolia from Zagros Mountains, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Southwest Iran were analysed by GC and GCMS. The major components of Stachys lavandulifolia oil were beta-phellandrene (37.93%), alpha-thujene (23.76%), benzaldehyde (6.28%), beta-myrcene (4.41%), gamma-elemene (3.98%) and bicyclogermacrene (2.64%).