OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction technology of volatile components from Wuyao decoction. METHODS On the basis of single factor investigation ，the extraction technology of volatile components from Wuyao decoction was optimized and validated by Box-Behnken design-response surface technology using the contents of bomyl acetate ，cyperotundone，α-cyperone， ligustilide and dehydrocostuslactone ， extraction rate of volatile oil as indexes ， with extraction time ， soaking time and liquid-material ratio as factors. On this basis ，the extraction state of the decoction was quantified. RESULTS The optimal extraction technology was as followed ：the ratio of liquid -material was 13∶1（mL/g），soaking time was 0.5 h，and the extraction time was 6 h in the boiling state. The comprehensive scores of the three validation experiments were 0.948 7，0.948 4 and 0.948 6 respectively （RSD＝0.02％，n＝3），and the deviation from the predicted value （0.947 9）was no more than 1％. The boiling state of the decoction in 180 ℃ oil bath was taken as the sudden boiling state. CONCLUSIONS The optimized extraction technology is stable and feasible.