The aerial part of H.cordata and the soil of 17 populations were collected from different valleys and altitudes(500-1800m) of Mt.Emei. pH value and soil nutrient contents were determined by regular methods of agricultural chemistry analysis of the soil. Volatile oil was obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial part of all materials. The chemical constituents were separated and identified by GC-MS, and the relative content of each constituent was determined by area normalization. The results showed that fertility of all the soil samples were higher, which was an advantage to the growth of H. cordata populaions. Totally, thirty-six components were identified. The components and content of volatile oil in different H.cordata populations were various. Myrcene, being the main component, could be detected in all populations, and its average content was higher than that of other chemical components. The content of bornyl acetate had positive correlation with the altitude and the content of trans-β-ocimene had significant positive correlation with the altitude. The results of variance analysis and multiple comparisons showed that the altitude had significant influence on the compositions and contents of volatile oil of H.cordata populations. It was found that microelements have more important influence on volatile oil components than macroelements through partial correlation analysis. Available B is the most important influence factor in all microelements. Available K is the most important influence factor in all macroelements. Soil nutrients which have significant influence on 10 mutual volatile oil components were deduced by stepwise regression analysis.