Volatile components of Artemisia monosperma and of Artemisia judaica obtained by steam distillation of the fresh plants were analysed by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Volatile oil of A. monosperma was found to be made up primarily of highly unsaturated hydrocarbons and aromatic acetylenic compounds with 3-methyl-3-phenyl-1,4-pentadiyne being the major component, Volatile oil of A. judaica, on the other hand, was found to be a mixture of esters, ketones and aldehydes in which pipertone is the major component.