OBJECTIVE To analyze the domestic and foreign literatures related to Inula japonica from 2000—2022 by searching the core collection database of CNKI and Web of Science, bibliometrics and CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software.

METHODS By drawing the knowledge map of the research authors, research keywords and research institutions of Inula japonica, the research status and development trend were visually analyzed.

RESULTS  The number of Chinese and English publications in the study of Inula japonica increased linearly, with slight fluctuations in the past decade. Practical Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Archives of Pharmacal Research were the most published journals in Chinese and English respectively; Wen Jinkun and Lee Eunkyung were the authors with the largest number of articles in Chinese and English respectively. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were the research institutions with the largest number of papers in Chinese and English respectively. The keyword co-occurrence map, keyword clustering map and keyword burst map of Chinese and English literatures showed that the research hotspots of Inula japonica mainly focus on extraction process, processing method, chemical composition, fingerprint, content determination, pharmacological action, mechanism of action and clinical compatibility medication rules.

CONCLUSION  At present, the mechanism of Inula japonica in the treatment of cough and hiccup by regulating the neural pathway is still a research hotspot. This study will provide reference value for the follow-up study of Inula japonica.