The composition of its essential oil is unique to each plant, but can include piperitone, geranial, neral, caryophyllene, camphor, eucalyptol, limonene, carvone, germacrene, α-guaiene, β-ocimene, linalool, or myrcene. Its leaves are used to season food. The plant is used medicinally for its sedative, antidepressant, analgesic and antispasmodic properties for conditions such as colitis and gastritis