Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil from Gnaphlium affine

► Chemical compositions of essential oil of Gnaphlium affine were detected by GC-MS. ► Essential oil had a remarkable antimicrobial effect against test microorganisms. ► Antimicrobial mechanism was explained by growth curve and TEM of Bacillus subtilis. ► The essential oil showed a potent antioxidant activity in experimental models.