Abstract: Contents and species of 4 trace elements, i.e. copper, iron, cadmium and zinc in the Chinese herbal medicine, teasel root, were studied. Methods for extraction of various species (including soluble species, suspended species, inorganic species and organic species) of the elements and preparation of the respective testing solutions were described in detail. Method of FAAS was used for the determination of the 4 elements. As shown by the data of amount and distribution of the 4 elements found in the 4 species, it was concluded that the 4 elements were present mainly in the soluble species in which the inorganic species were the majority.