The feasibility of employing non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) as an alternative and effective solvent for the microwave-assisted extraction of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and liquiritin (LQ) from licorice root was studied. The optimal extraction parameters based on the microwave-assisted micellar extraction technique were determined. Under the optimal conditions, i.e. 5% (by volume) Triton X-100, microwave-assisted extraction for 3-5min at 373K, the percentage extraction of active ingredients reached the highest value. The preconcentration factor for GA and LQ (about 13.5) and the extraction efficiency for these two ingredients approached 100% showed the coupling of microwave-assisted extraction and cloud-point extraction could be employed as a new and effective technique for the rapid extraction and preconcentration of pharmacologically active ingredients from medicinal plants such as licorice root without disturbing chromatographic analysis.