Abstract: Objective To study the content, distribution characteristics in different parts, enrichment regularity and purification measures of five heavy metal elements in Asteris Radix. Methods The contents of heavy metals in Asteris Radix were determined by GFAAS and ICP-MS, and the pollution index, enrichment rule and purification effect of heavy metals in Asteris Radix were analyzed. Results The standard curves of heavy metals were Hg:Y=0.001 3X+5.028 8*10^-6; As:Y=0.001 6X+1.438 9*10^-4; Cd:Y=0.051 2X+1.32*10^-2; Cu:Y=0.002 3X+4.3*10^-3;Pb:Y=0.003 9X+1.00*10^-2. Among the 7 batches of Asteris Radix, all samples were qualified except for Pb in a sample, and the content of Cu was higher. With the growth period, the content of Cu increased gradually and reached its maximum in November, while the content of Cd, Pb, As and Hg increased first and then decreased gradually. The enrichment ability of heavy metal elements in different parts of Asteris Radix was different: the contents of Cu, Cd and Hg in leaves were higher, and the content of As in rhizome was higher. Water washing can reduce the content of heavy metals in Aster tataricus. And the decreasing degree were, from highest to lowest: Pb>Hg>Cd>As>Cu. P_i of heavy metal element were, from highest to lowest: Cu>Pb>As>Hg>Cd. P_N of heavy metal element were, from highest to lowest: Pb, Cu > As > Cd, Hg. The P_N of Pb and Cu ware higher than 0.7. Conclusion Asteris Radix has a strong ability to enrich Cu. Washing and removing non-medicinal parts can reduce heavy metal pollution of Asteris Radix.

Key words: Asteris Radix, heavy metal elements, distribution characteristics, enrichment regularity, cleaning measures