The constitution of essential oils from Artemisia herba alba populations of Israel and Sinai

Abstract The essential oils of Artemisia herba alba populations, four from Israel and one from Sinai, were analysed. Identification of components was achieved either by isolation of pure components or by GC and GC/MS. The composition of the oils differed in the various populations. All the oils contained 1,8-cineole in varying concentrations. Irregular monoterpenes were found in two populations, in one of them at high concentration. Two main types of oils were discerned, the cineole-thujane-bornane type and the pinane type. The differences in the composition of the essential oils in the A . herba alba populations investigated are in line with the variations of their sesquiterpene lactones.