Danute Mockute, Genovaite Bernotiene,* and Asta Judzentiene,

Abstract: The essential oil of overground parts of wild Glechoma hederacea L.collected at full flowering in seven localities of Eastern Lithuania were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. More than half of the oils were rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (56.5–67.9%). The most predominant compound was germacrene D (14.1–20.7%). The other main constituents were γ-elemene (9.0–16.0%), β-elemene (8.7–12.9%), phytols (2.8–15.6%), (Z)-β-ocimene (2.2–8.5%), 1,8-cineole (92.2–5.4%), β-ylangene (2.7–4.1%) and germacrene B (2.2–3.9%). Forty-three identified compounds made up 89.1–96.2%.

The overground parts of Glechoma hederacea L. collected during flowering are used for healing different diseases and as a spice (1–5). Some authors regarded ground ivy as upper respiratory anticatarrhal herb (1,3,4). The herbs under study also help to heal diseases of digestion organs and skin (1,3). The leaves of G. hederacea are used for preparation salads, soups and drinks (1,3,5). The ground ivy in Lithuania has a strong odor. Two species of Glechoma L., i.e. G.hederacea and G. hirsuta, grow wild (6). The first species is widespread and used for healing and spicing, the second one is rare and was found only in one district.