Abstract: Chinese traditional medicine preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome were ashed by drying-method and the residues were dissolved by HNO_3. Ten trace elements including copper, cobalt, manganese, nickel, calcium, lead, iron, zinc, magnesium and cadmium in the solution were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained show that the content of copper, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium is higher than that of other elements.