Objective To compare the differences in volatile components between Poria cocos flesh and peel using dynamic headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Methods Fresh P. cocos was used as the test sample. Volatile components were enriched by dynamic headspace adsorption, and the differences in volatile components between the flesh and peel were analyzed by GC-MS. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to identify the main active components responsible for these differences.Results A total of 110 volatile compounds were detected from the peel and flesh of P. cocos, including 27 unique components in the flesh and 28 unique components in the peel. The volatile compounds with relatively high percentage contents in the flesh were mainly alkenes and alcohols, whereas those in the peel were mainly alkenes. The results of principal component analysis and cluster analysis indicated that alkenes and alcohols were the main components affecting the differences between the peel and flesh.Conclusion In traditional applications, P. cocos flesh and peel exhibit the effects of "strengthening the spleen and calming the heart" and "promoting diuresis and reducing swelling", respectively.