Abstract: The Gastrodiae Rhizoma was dried by sun-drying, drying at different temperatures, microwave drying and freeze-drying, and the content of the multi-indicative component was determined by HPLC. An analytical method for simultaneous detection of multi-indicator components of Gastrodiae Rhizoma was established, and the effects of different drying methods on appearance and multi-indicator content of Gastrodiae Rhizoma were investigated. Gastrodin,p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and Barryntoside A as the main index, and just considering on the temperature factor, 80 ℃ was the best drying method; Adenosine content as the main indicator, the sun drying was the best way; Using hydroxybenzaldehyde as the main index, there is little difference in sample content between sun-drying and microwave-drying, and the content of freeze-drying method is the lowest. Through the establishment of simultaneous detection methods for multi-index components of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, different post-harvest drying methods can be selected according to actual needs. By comparing the appearance and the change of the index component content, the drying effect at 60 ℃ is better for Gastrodiae Rhizoma.

Key words: Gastrodiae Rhizoma, drying method, appearance, multi-indicator components