The essential oil of the aerial parts of Baccharis salicifolia was examined by GC and GC-MS and the major components were identifed as α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, α-phellandrene, α-cubebene, β-cariophyllene, 6,9-guaiadiene, germacrene D and germacrone. The essential oil was tested against eight Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The essential oil was found to exhibit moderate antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria tested with MIC values from 0.47 to 0.94 (µg/ml).