ABSTRACT
Multiple cropping has a long history in China, and been used widely in other countries of the world. Be-cause the multiple cropping of medicinal plants (MCMP) partially alleviates land-use contradiction between medici-nal plants and crops, this cropping system is an optimization for cultivation pattern of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and important for sustainable development of TCM resources. In this paper, we reviewed the concept, devel-opment history, theoretical basis, and main patterns about MCMP, analyzed the effect of multiple cropping on growth, yield, effective components, pest and disease control of medicinal plants, evaluated the ecological and economic ben-efits of MCMP, and discussed issues and prospects in the research of MCMP. This information can be useful for the medicinal plant cultivators.