OBJECTIVE:To extract phenolic acid from Salvia militiorrhiza by multi-stage countercurrent extraction technology. METHODS: The multi-stage countercurrent extraction technology and traditional single pot decocting extraction technology were applied to extract phenolic acid from S. militiorrhiza. The content of salianic-acid B was determined and energy consumption of these extraction technologies were calculated and compared. RESULTS: As compared with traditional single pot decocting extraction technology, multi-stage countercurrent extraction technology effectively decreased the degradation of active component, energy consumption and production cycle. CONCLUSION: Multi-stage countercurrent extraction technology is suitable for the production of S. militiorrhiza.