Abstract:Objective:To compare the pharmacological differences between volatile oil and water extract in eight aromatic drugs for resolving dampness.Method:Volatile oil and water extract of eight commonly used aromatic drugs for resolving dampness were ig administered to rats respectively, and the effects of volatile oil and water extract on the secretion of gastric juice, volume of gastric mucous blood flow and activity of SOD in gastric mucous membrane were studied.Result:It was shown that the effects of aromatic volatile oil in eight drugs on the indexes mentioned above were generally equal or similar to those of water extract,and it was obvious that the volatile oil in some high oil content drugs such as Amonum cardamomum L(Baidoukou), Alpinia katsumadai Hagata (Caodoukou), Amomum villosum Lour (Saren), and Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lem (Caogou)had better effects on the secretion of gastric juice and volume of gastric mucous blood flow that those of water extract.Conlusion:It has been pharmacologically proved that in using aromatic drugs for resolving dampness, the loss of aromatic (volatile) components should be avoided.