Objective To research the microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Glechoma longituba. Methods In present study, the processes of extraction of polysaccharides from Glechoma longituba by water bath and microwave-assisted extraction were optimized using orthogonal test, and the two methods were compared. Results The optimal process of water bath extraction was as follows:liquid-solid ratio 50∶1, time 180 min, temperature 90 ℃ and pH 8. 0. The optimal parameters of microwave-assisted extraction were liquid-solid ratio 30∶1, top microwave power, time 4 min, and pH 8.0. The yield of polysaccharides from Glechoma longituba by microwave-assisted and water bath methods was (4.58±0.09)% and (3.09±0.12)%, respectively, and the yield of microwave-assisted method was elevated by 48.2% compared with that of water bath extraction. Conclusion The microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Glechoma longituba not only improves the yield, but also reduces the extract volume, saves energy and time.