Abstract: AFS was applied to the determination of arsenic in Chinese traditional medicines. The sample was digested with HNO3 under pressure (for total As), and extracted with HCl (1+1) at 60 ℃ (for inorganic As). Thiourea solution was added to the sample solution as pre-reductant and KBH4 solution as reductant. Flow-rates of 400 mL·min-1 for carrier gas and 900 mL·min-1 for shielding gas were taken in the analysis. Linear relationship between values of fluorescence intensity and mass concentration of As(Ⅲ) found was in the range within 80.0 μg·L-1, with detection limit (3s/k) of 31 ng·L-1. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of samples of Chinese traditional medicines. Values of total As found were in the range of 139-372 ng·g-1 and of inorganic As in the range of 41-103 ng·g-1. Values of recovery found were in the ranges of 89.0%-93.3% for total As and 86.0%-92.0% for inorganic As.