Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy of Cirsii Japonici Herba and Cirsii Herba in treating carbuncle and sore toxin, and to guide clinical application. METHODS This paper reviewed the records of Cirsii Japonici Herba and Cirsii Herba in the past dynasties and the application of their prescriptions, and the differences of active ingredients and pharmacological effects between Cirsii Japonici Herba and Cirsii Herba was summarized. RESULTS Herbal books of past dynasties agreed that Cirsii Japonici Herba had the efficacy of treating carbuncle, sore and poison, as well as prescriptions for the treatment of the disease, Cirsii Japonici Herba and Cirsii herba contained different active components, with different pharmacological effects of hemostasis and regulation of vasoactivity, Cirsii herba could treat infectious skin diseases, and Cirsii Japonici Herba could not, which was not consistent with the ancient literature. CONCLUSION It is not strict that Chinese Pharmacopoeia records that the Cirsii Japonici Herba and Cirsii herba has the same effect, can treat carbuncle sore.