Abstract: Lycoris has abundant galanthamine which is an important medical constituent. To optimize the microwave extraction technique of galanthamine in Lycoris, influences of single factors including the microwave watt, solid-liquid ratio, temperature, extraction time and times were studied using Lycoris as material and ethanol as extractant. The optimal microwave extraction condition was identified with orthogonal test L₉(3⁴), and compared with the ultrasonic method. Results showed that the best extraction condition was as follows: the ratio of sample to solvent was 1:7 (g:mL), the extraction temperature was 45℃, the microwave watt was 350 W, the extraction time was 7 min. After sequential extraction for two times under the condition, the extraction ratio and yield of galanthamine were 95.8% and 0.0549%, respectively, and the concentration of galanthamine in the extract was about 15.15%. Compared with the ultrasonic method, the microwave method had the advantages of lower temperature, less extraction time and higher extraction ratio. The overall effect of microwave extraction was better than that of ultrasonic extraction.