Salvia species as potential essential oil sources in Hungary

In the course of the evaluation of the species belonging to the Section Salvia of the genus Salvia (Family Lamiaceae) the essential oil content and the composition of the species have been investigated with special respect to their neurotoxic α-, and β-thujone content. It could be established that from among the species S. lavandulifolia Vahl., S. candelabru Boiss., S. tomentosa Mill., (S. grandiflora Etlinger), S. fruticosa Mill., S. ringens Sibth. & Sm. only S. tomentosa had both beneficially high essential oil content and low or no thujone content. As it can be cultivated in the temperate climatic belt, in Hungary, S. tomentosa may be an alternative essential oil producing plant beside the S. officinalis L.