Abstract: Tang-kwei,the root of Angelica sinensis Diels,is a famous Chinese drug often used in the treatment of women's diseases.A brief review of its chemical and pharmacological studies is given.The authors made a critical study of the sta- tements and descriptions in the ancient herbals and related classicals concerning this drug and discussed the botanical origin of Tang-kwei. The morphology,histology and diagnostic characters of the powdered drug are examined and described in detail with plates of illustrations.