In recent years,hepatotoxicity problem of Polygonum multiflorum has caused high attention. Domestic scholars also explored the causes of liver damage caused by it. For example, the establishment of guideline for diagnosis and treatment of herb-induced liver injury, and the theory about relationship between hepatocyte toxicity and chemical composition, solvents, processing, use and pathological basis of patients and so on. To try to combine theory with practice,author analyzed risk factors about the case reports of P. multiflorum causing liver damage, and made some suggestions on P. multiflorum about individualized application, drug selection and requirements for taking. This for providing reference for the safe use of P. multiflorum. © 2018, Editorial Board of China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. All right reserved.