Because of their valuable essential oil, several species of Mentha (Lamiaceae) have been introduced into vailous countries for their commercial cultivation. The occurrence of about six Mentha species has been recorded in India (1). During the last decade, efforts have been made by our institute to develop improved agrotechnology and genetically better strains for the commercial cultivation of various Mentha species (2, 3). In continuation of this project and our programme of screening new Indian essential oils (4-8), we have surveyed the district Nainital of Western Himalayas. In order to