Maeng-Lak-Kha or wild spikenard has a scientific name as Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., belonging to Family Labiatae (Lamiaceae). This herb is potential to be developed for herbal medicine products according to several reports for its pharmacological uses such as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Since the chemical quality of this herb in Thailand has not been reported before, it is interesting to investigate its properties. In this study, it was carried out using 15 samples of the aerial parts of the medicinal plant collected from natural areas in central parts of Thailand. The water-soluble extractive, 95% ethanol-soluble extractive, water content, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash were provided as well as the chemical identification using color reactions and thin-layer chromatography. The result of this study is useful for control the chemical quality of dried aerial parts of Maeng-Lak-Kha to further prepare as herbal products.

KEY WORDS: Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., wild spikenard, Maeng-Lak-Kha, chemical specification