OBJECTIVE: To provide reference for the identification, processing, processing technology and research for thermal decomposition products. METHODS: Thermogravimetry - derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) and differential thermal-derivative differential thermal (DTA-DDTA) analysis were conducted to scan thermal spectrum of tripterygium from 3 places and T. hypoglaucum, T. regelii, common counterfeits Actinidia arguta and Vitis quinquangularis, determine 7 medicinal materials, its dregs and extractum, and analyze differential spectrum of T. wilfordii and dregs. RESULTS: The TG-DTG and DTA-DDTA thermal spectrum were not only basically similar to each other but also to their dregs. There was a singlet main characteristics peak at about(299±3)℃ only in the DTG curves of extracts of tripterygium from 3 places and T. hypoglaucum extractum with similar intensity, while T. regelii, counterfeits A. arguta and V. quinquangularis showed multiple peaks, and (299±3)℃ was not the main peak. CONCLUSIONS: The thermal spectrum can not distinguish tripterygium and its counterfeits; extractum DTG curves can do it; suitable processing temperature of tripterygium was 200-380 ℃. The study can provide reference for the identification, processing, processing technology and research for thermal decomposition products.