(-)-Linalool is the major floral scent occurring mainly in families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae and Rutaceae and is the main active compound of lavender oil. The purpose of this study was to reveal the influence of subchronic systemic treatment with (-)-linalool on the metabolic activity of CYP2A, 2B, 2C6, 2C11 and 3A in rat liver microsomes (RLM). The second aim was to reveal possible inhibitory effect of (-)-linalool on CYP2C6 in vitro. Wistar albino male rats were treated with (-)-linalool intragastrically at the doses of 40, 120, and 360 mg/kg/day for 13 days. Treatment with (-)-linalool at the dose of 360 mg/kg increased the metabolic activity of CYP2A assessed with testosterone as a probe substrate. (-)-Linalool showed weak competitive inhibition of CYP2C6 in rat liver microsomes, with IC(50) of 84 microM with use of diclofenac as a probe substrate.