Objective: To optimize the forming technology of Xiaochaihutang dripping pills. Method: The pills were prepared using dripping method. The forming technology of the pills was optimized by orthogonal experiment by using dropping temperature

the ratio of herbal extract to base material and dropping speed as factors and with pill weight RSD

spherical degree and the time limit of collapse of the pills as evaluation indexes. Result: Using PEG 6 000 and PEG 4 000 as base material with the ration of 1 ∶1 and dimethyl silicone oil (viscosity 200 mPa ·s) as refrigerant

the optimized parameters for the forming technology were as follows: the ratio of herbal extract to base material was 1 ∶1.5; the dropping temperature was at 80 ℃ and the dropping speed was 30 drops per minute. Conclusion: This forming technology served as experimental basis for the preparation of Xiaochaihutang dripping pills was stable

easy to handle and repeatability was ensured perfectly.