Abstract: A rapid energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometery(ED-XRF) was used to analysis cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine. A simple pretreatment method, such as crushing and grinding of Chinese herbal medicine was used. A calibration curve for the content and relative intensity of cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine has been set up using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometery, to analyse cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine samples. The limit of detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantity (LOQ) of this method were 0.083 mg/kg, and 0.207 mg/kg, respectively. And the LOQ of cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine was less than the national control standard 0.3 mg/kg. When measuring the sample containing cadmium above the LOQ, the accuracy of the test results was comparable to the results of the chemical analysis, and the repeatability and stability of the test results was in full compliance with the standard statistical treatment of data of GB/T 4889-2008. The pretreatment time of this method was no more than 5 min, and the test time of a sample was no more than 15 min. This method can be applied to the monitoring of heavy metal in Chinese herbal medicine manufacturers.