AbstractIntroduction – Matrix solid‐phase dispersion (MSPD) is a very simple, cheap and relatively quick sample preparation procedure which involves simultaneous disruption and extraction of various solid and semi‐solid samples due to the direct mechanical blending of the sample with a SPE sorbent, mainly C18. Little is known about MSPD application as a sample preparation method for the analysis of essential oil components in herbs.Objective – To evaluate if C18 sorbent, commonly used in MSPD process, can be substituted with sand in the procedure of essential oil analysis.Methodology – Essential oil extracts were obtained from mint, sage, chamomile, marjoram, savory and oregano using MSPD with C18 sorbent or sand, pressurised liquid extraction and steam distillation. Their qualitative and quantitative compositions ware established by GC‐MS and GC‐FID.Results – The results prove that C18 sorbent can be substituted with sand in the procedure of essential oil analysis in herbs. The recoveries of essential oil components estimated using MSPD/sand are almost equal to those using pressurised liquid extraction.Conclusion – The results presented in the paper reveal that MSPD with sand is suitable for the isolation of essential oil components from herbs. Its extraction efficiency is equivalent to pressurised liquid extraction, recognised as one of the most efficient extraction methods. The cost of MSPD procedure for essential oil analysis can be significantly diminished by substituting C18 with sand. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.