Object To determine the amount of cichoric acid in Enchinacea purpurea and its preparation. Methods By the use of HPLC, mobile phase: 400 mmol/L ammonium acetate methanol (95∶ 5), flow rate: 1 mL/min, detection wavelength: 330 nm. Results The mean recovery of cichoric acid was 99 41%, RSD=3 23% (n=5). Conclusion The method can be applied in the determination of cichoric acid in E. purpurea extract and its preparation with satisfactory results.