The essential oils of Piper cernuum and Piper regnellii leaves were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the results were compared to that obtained by means of a program designed to analyse C-13-NMR data of complex mixtures. Bicyclogermacrene (21.88%)/beta -caryophyllene (20.69%) and myrcene (52.60%)/linalool (15.89%) were the major constituents in essential oil from leaves of P. cernuum and P regnellii, respectively. Both essential oils presented growth inhibitory activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.