Abstract <p>This study aimed to establish an efficient extraction process for volatile oils from edible and medicinal Chrysanthemums and to identify high-quality resources. Single-factor experiments were conducted to identify key influencing factors, extraction parameters were optimized using Box–Behnken response surface methodology (RSM), and the chemical compositions of volatile oils from nine Chrysanthemum varieties were systematically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Single-factor experiments revealed that pulverization degree, sodium chloride concentration, solid-liquid ratio, distillation time, and soaking time all affected the extraction yield, with sodium chloride concentration, pulverization degree, and solid-liquid ratio being the dominant factors. Following RSM optimization and practical operation modification, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: pulverization degree of 70 mesh, sodium chloride concentration of 18%, and solid-liquid ratio of 1 : 11 (g/mL). Under these conditions, the volatile oil yield reached 0.779%, with a relative deviation of only 0.041% from the model-predicted value, verifying the stability and reliability of the optimized process. GC-MS analysis identified a total of 76 compounds, including terpenoids, alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and other classes. Among these, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, β-elemene, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, eucalyptol, and camphor were common components in all 9 varieties, while significant differences in the relative contents of major components were observed among them. This study clarified an efficient extraction process through multi-factor interaction optimization and revealed the compositional characteristics of volatile oils from different edible and medicinal Chrysanthemum varieties. provide crucial technical support and scientific basis for the targeted development, functional product research, and industrial application of Chrysanthemum resources.</p>