Objective To improve the quality standard of Houkang Powder.Methods Nacre powder in the preparation was identified qualitatively by the microscopic identification method.Sun-dried Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Andrographis Herba leaves in the preparation were identified qualitatively by the thin-layer chromatography(TLC)method.The contents of menthol,isoborneol and borneol were determined by the gas chromatography(GC)method;the chromatographic column was the PEG-20M capillary column(30 m×0.25 mm,0.25 µm),the column temperature was 140℃,the inlet temperature was 230℃,the detector temperature was 280℃,the split injection was adopted with a split ratio of 20∶1(V/V),and the injection volume was 1 µL.Results The microscopic characteristics of the nacre powder in the preparation were obvious.The TLC chromatograms of sun-dried Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Andrographis Herba leaves and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had clear spots,good resolution,and there was no interference from negative reference.The linear ranges of menthol,isoborneol and borneol were 0.184-2.946 mg/mL(r=1.000 0),0.039-0.972 mg/mL(r=0.999 8),0.048-1.210 mg/mL(r=0.999 8),respectively.The RSDs of precision,stability and repeatability tests were all lower than 3.0% .The average recovery rates of the above three components were 99.84%,99.76%,99.74%,with RSDs of 0.18%,0.21%,0.21% (n=6)respectively.Conclusion This method is easy,specific and repeatable,which can provide a reference for the quality control of Houkang Powder.