Objective To optimize the conditions for the extraction process of Biyuan dropping pills.Methods With the obtaining rate of extract and the content of total berberine presented in the extract as the indexes for the water extraction process

and with the increase in the volatile oil as the indexes for the extraction of the volatile oil

orthogonal design was used to optimize the conditions for the extraction process respectively.Results The optimal conditions for the water extraction of Biyuan dropping pills was as follows:maceration 1 hour with 15 times water

decocting 3 times

1 hour for each time.The optimal process of the volatile oil for Biyuan dropping Pills was to crush the herbal material into coarse powder

to macerate 1 hour with 9 times water and to distill for 4 hours.Conclusion This experimental results may provide the basis for the ascertainment of extraction process of Biyuan dropping pills at the manufacturing scale.