Essential oil composition and bioactivity variation in wild-growing populations of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton collected from China

•The chemical compositions and bioactivities of essential oils from Curcuma. phaeocaulis Valeton rhizomes collected from 12 various locations in China are studied.•The main bioactive components are germacrone, curlone, α-caryophyllene, curzerene, 8,9-dehydro-9-formyl-cycloisolongifolen and β-elemene.•The 12 essential oils show excellent antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities.•For better efficacy, essential oils isolated from various locations should be reasonably utilized based on their different components.