The ethanol extraction conditions of curcumin from turmeric were studied by orthogonal design based on extraction rate, and the curcumin content in extraction solution was determinated by spectrophotometer method. The effect of ratio of material to solvent, dipping temperature,dipping time,and ethanol concentration on extraction mass were investigated. The results showed that the optimum conditions were as follows: dipping temperature was 30℃, dipping solvent was 70% ethanol solution, ratio of material to solvent was 1:28, dipping time was 2 h. The new extraction technology should be rational and scientific.