By using a supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE-CO_2) technique, we extracted essential oils from Saussureae Radix. Four different extraction conditions were used in this Study: (1) 1500 psi, 35 °C; (2) 3500 psi, 35 °C; (3) 1500 psi, 50 °C and (4) 1500 psi, 50 °C. The highest yield of essential oils was found at the condition of 3500 psi. 50 °C and a comparable yield was else obtained at 3500 psi/35 °C. By using a gas chromatography/ frame ionization detector, we then quantified the content of constunolide and dehydrocostuslactore, (two major active components) in the essential oil under four differnet conditions. Results tell us that at 35 °C/ 3500 psi, the quantity of costunolide in the extracted oil was the highest, and at 35 °C/1500 psi, the dehydrocostuslactone could be extracted by SFE-CO_2 must efficiently. Since no experienced formula is good enough to predict the extraction efficiency of compounds, the results in this study were useful for the data bank of SFE-CO_2 extraction.