Abstract: OBJECTIVE To explore the optimal separation of the total alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo by selecting appropriate macroporous adsorption resins. METHODS To evaluate the separating efficiency by measuring the adsorption ratio, eluting ratio of the total alkaloids as indexes. RESULTS The D101 macroporous adsorption resins have the best adsorption capacity and the optimal separating efficiency with the following eluting method: the extract liquid was applied to resin column, then the resin was washed by water to remove impurity and the total alkaloids were desorbed by 0.2 mol·L^-1 hydrochloride 50% ethanol. CONCLUSION This method is simple, feasible and can be used for separation and purification of the total alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo.