Objective To analyze the content of volatile components in the combustion products of moxa stick stored for three years by headspace gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (HS- GC- MS). Methods The HS- GC- MS technique, as well as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Mass Spectral Database (NIST 11.L), was used to analyze volatile chemical components. Area normalization was used to determine the percentage of each component. Results A total of 87 chromatographic peaks were separated and 54 chemical components were identified, which accounted for 88.505% of the total content of volatile components. The main volatile components were phenol (17.448%), o- isopropyltoluene (5.369%), acetamide (4.957%), p- xylene (3.527%), and 3- methyl- butyric acid (3.001%). Conclusion The method established shows a good separation effect and can accurately identify the components, and therefore, it can give full information on the main volatile components in moxa smoke.