Objective: extraction and separation principle of traditional Chinese medicine to prepare the grass before moving total triterpenes, provide samples for further pharmacological experiments. Methods: The ethanol extraction method, combined with solvent extraction for further separation and concentration of total triterpenes plantain. Results: The extraction, separation and concentration to obtain total triterpenes plantain extract, and determination were carried out. Conclusion: The method derived ethanol extract of plantain high content of total triterpenes. Key words: plantain; total triterpenes; ethanol reflux method; extraction