This paper is dedicated to Professor Pedro Joseph-Nathan for his 65 th birthday. Germacrone (1) forms part of a great number of essential oils, in some of them comprising more than 20% of the total oil. This compound presents a wide range of biological activities (CNS depressant, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antifeedant, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, antitussive, vasodilator, choleretic, hepatoprotector), which are analyzed. The chemical reactivity of germacrone, including cyclization reactions, and complete synthesis are presented.