Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for active ingredients in Ciwujia was studied by using ethanol as the extractant. Comparing MAE with conventional methods, the former can save the extracting time and increase the content of the active ingredients in product. As to the operation in MAE, the continuous radiation process is more convenient for the extraction for traditional Chinese medicine than the intermittent radiation process. Optimized by uniform design, MAE was proved to be an effective and novel process for extracting active ingredients in Ciwujia. The optimized MAE conditions are as follows: the microwave power is 510 W, the radiation time 30 min, the alcohol concentration at 80%, the ratio of solvent to solid material being 5: 1, the soaking time 0.5 h, and the herbal particle size is (520 +/- 19)mum.