Abstract: Objective:To optimize the technology of extracting volatile oil from Lycium barbarum L.by heating and reflux method, and to study the difference of volatile oil content among different varieties and years of Lycium barbarum L..Method:Based on the optimization of organic solvents, the effects of various factors on the extraction of volatile oil from Lycium barbarum L. were studied by single factor test and orthogonal test based on the ratio of material to liquid, soaking time and reflux time, and the technology was optimized.Results:Orthogonal experiment showed that the optimum extraction technology was:ratio of material to liquid 1:8, soaking time 4 h, reflux time 4 h, and the yield of volatile oil of Lycium barbarum L.was 3.68% ±0.13%.Under the optimum extraction conditions, the volatile oil of Lycium barbarum L.was extracted from different varieties and years.The results showed that the difference of volatile oil yield between small granules, Ningxia No.5 and Ningxia No.1 in 2016 was significant (p < 0.05), and the highest volatile oil yield of small grain Lycium barbarum L. was 5.92% ±0.12%. There was significant difference in volatile oil yield of Lycium barbarum L.in different production years (p < 0.05), and the highest volatile oil yield of Lycium barbarum L.No.1 in 2016 was 3.69% ±0.02%.Conclusion:The volatile oil yield of Lycium barbarum L.has some differences in different varieties, and has significant difference in different years.