OBJECTIVE:To interpret the contribution of Sun Simiao Qianjin Yi Fang to herbalism. METHODS:Using“Sun Simiao”“Qianjin Yi Fang”“herbalism”and other words as key words,related literatures were retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang,Dayi Yixue database and so on during 1983-2015;four aspects explained in Qianjin Yi Fang by Sun Simiao were summarized,involving“herb gathering season ranking the first”“nomen proprium ranking the second”“herb source ranking the third”and“prescription rank-ing the forth”. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:More than 50 literatures were collected,including 14 effective literatures. It is the quintessence of precious experience that herbalism is placed in the front of Sun Simiao Qianjin Yi Fang,which greatly contributes to herbalism.“Herb gathering season ranking the first”is the true essence of herb quality guarantee;“nomen proprium ranking the second”guarantees accurate use of herb in the clinic fundamentally;“herb source ranking the third”lays the foundation of therapeu-tic efficacy;“prescription ranking the forth”creates a new era of herb classification by functions.