OBJECTIVE： To study the decoction effect of some TCM decoction piece which should be decocted firstly or at the last with the decoction powders comparatively， so as to simplify the traditional decoction method and provide reference for dosage form reform study of herbal medicine decoction. METHODS： 3 ingredients of TCM decoction piece （Margaritifera concha， Testudinis carapax et plastrum， Trionycis carapax） which should be decocted firstly and 7 ingredients （Rhei radix et rhizoma， Uncariae ramulus cum uncis， Armeniacae semen amarum， Sennae folium， Cinnamomi cortex， Amomi fructus， Cynanchi paniculati radix et rhizoma） decocted at the last were chosen as the research objects， and then decocted after being made into the decoction of boiling powder. The content of active component and extract yield were compared and analyzed between the decoction powder and the decoction pieces； the extraction rate of volatile oil from decoction powder and decoction pieces were compared between Amomi fructus and Cinnamomi cortex which were decocted at the last and contained large amount of volatile oil. RESULTS： TCM decoction piece which should be decocted firstly was made into decoction powder and then added into 10 times of water for decocting 10 min for one time， and extract yield of its decoction was not less than that of traditional decoction piece （80 min）. After TCM decoction piece which should be decocted at the last was made into decoction powder， the contents of active components and extract yield in Rhei radix et rhizoma， Uncariae ramuius cum uncis， Armeniacae semen amarum， were 2 times much as that of traditional decoction pieces； the extract rate of volatile oil from decoction powder of Amomi fructus and Cinnamomi cortex within 60 min were higher than those of their decoction pieces within 240 min. CONCLUSIONS： On the one hand， some TCM decoction pieces which should be decocted firstly or at the last， made into decoction powder can save herbal medicines； on the other hand， decoction powder can simplify the decoction program， is easy for patients to use， and saves the energy.