Abstract: Four trace elements (Cu,Fe,Zn,Mn) in 6 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines,i.e.,cyperus rotundus,rhizoma zingiberis,cortex cinnamomi,azarum sieboldii miq.,rhizoma alpiniae officinarum and fructus foeniculi,were determined by FAAS.Samples of the Chinese herbal medicines were digested with HNO3-HClO4(4+1) mixture,and then evaporated to near dryness after adding H2O2.The residue was taken up with HNO3(1+99) and used for FAAS analysis.Standard curves were prepared separately with standard solutions of the 4 elements.Samples of the 6 Chinese herbal medicines were analyzed by the proposed method and test for recovery was made by standard addition method,giving values of recovery in the range from 93.5% to 109.0%.