To study and compare the active ingredients contained in decocting-free granules and decocting pieces of Chinese herbal medicine.Methods:The content of chrysophanol，chrysophanic acid and emodin in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting-free granules and Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting pieces produced by Shenzhen Sanjiu Modern Chinese medicine Co.，Ltd.was detected by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Meanwhile，HPLC method was also used to determine the content of astragaloside in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting-free granules and Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting pieces.Results:The contents of chrysophanol，chrysophanic acid and emodin in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting-free granules were 3.50 mg/g，9.44 mg/g，3.13 mg/g，respectively.The contents of chrysophanol，chrysophanic acid and emodin in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting pieces were 3.34 mg/g，9.57 mg/g and 3.05 mg/g，respectively.The contents of astragaloside in Radix Astragali seu Hedysari decocting pieces were 0.80 mg/g and 0.83 mg/g respectively.Conclusion:There is no significant difference in the content of chrysophanol，chrysophanic acid，emodin and astragaloside in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting-free granules and Radix et Rhizoma Rhei decocting pieces.It can be selected flexibly according to the specific conditions of patients in clinical practice.