Objective: To establish the quality standard for Herba Cistanches.
Method: A qualitative identification method by TLC was established for five kinds of active components(acteoside, echinacoside, cistanoside A, betaine and mannitol) and RP-HPLC was used to quantify the acteoside contents.
Results: Qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out for fourteen kinds of Herba Cistanches and eleven kinds of Yinpian. This method is accurate, reliable and of good separability and reproducibility.
Conclusion: This method can be applied as standard for the quality control of cistanche deserticola.