Aldose reductase (AR) is the key enzyme of the polyol pathway in the development of the diabetic complications. Sixty seven Chinese herbal medicines have been investigated for inhibitory activities on AR. Among them, 7 herbal medicines, Buddleja crispa (twigs and leaves), Taiwania flousiana (twigs and leaves), Sloanea hemsleyana (fruits), Euphorbia nemetocypha (whole plants), Photinia glomerata (twigs and leaves), Vitex yunnanensis (twigs and leaves) exhibited a significant inhibitory activity against AR. Particularly, S. hemsleyana and V. yunnanensis showed 1.2-4.5 times more potent inhibitory activity than the positive control, 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (TMG).