The composition of the essential oil obtained from the dried flowering aerial parts of Artemisia annua L. (Compositae) was analysed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-two components were identified in the essential oil of A. annua L. with campher (48.00%), 1,8-cineole (9.39%), camphene (6.98%) and spathulenol (4.89%) as major components. The essential oil was evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The activity was more pronounced against fungal organisms than against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.