[Objective]To explore an analytic method for the determination of various metal elements in Penthorum chinense Pursh. [Methods]Employing microwave digestion- flame atomic spectrometry method( FAAS),the contents of trace elements Cu,Fe,Mn,Zn,Co,Ca,Mg,Cr and Ni in Penthorum chinense Pursh were measured,and the optimal conditions for microwave digestion and FAAS were investigated.[Results]The recovery was 98.6%-100.4% and RSD was 0.5%-3.0%. The contents of Ca,Mg and Fe were relatively higher,reaching8 142. 000,2 612. 000 and 198. 200 μg / g respectively; while that of Ni,Cr and Co were relatively lower,just 0. 645,1. 950 and 2. 270 μg / g respectively. [Conclusions] Due to the good digestion effect of microwave digestion and good selectivity of FAAS,microwave digestion-FAAS could meet the requirements of high accuracy and sensitivity,which can be used for the determination of trace elements in Penthorum chinense Pursh and its quality control. [Objective] To explore an analytic method for the determination of various metal elements in Penthorum chinense Pursh. [Methods] Employing microwave digestion-flame atomic spectrometry method (FAAS), the contents of trace elements Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co, The contents of Ca, Mg, Cr and Ni in Penthorm chinense Pursh were measured, and the optimal conditions for microwave digestion and FAAS were investigated. [Results] The recovery was 98.6% -100.4% and RSD was 0.5% -3.0%. The contents of Ca , Mg and Fe were relatively higher, reaching 8 142. 000, 2 612. 000 and 198. 200 μg / g respectively; while that of Ni, Cr and Co were relatively lower, just 0.645, 1. 950 and 2. 270 μg / g respectively. [Conclusions] Due to the good digestion effect of microwave digestion and good selectivity of FAAS, microwave digestion-FAAS could meet the requirements of high accuracy and sensitivity, which can be used for the determination of trace elements in Penthorum chinense Pursh and its quality control.