Abstract: The course objectives of pharmaceutical botany require students to skillfully master the observation method of plants microstructure， which is based on free-hand sectioning technique. However, there are mostly verified experiments, teacher-led classrooms, simple assessment methods, and a single material in the process of practical teaching, which cannot achieve the experimental teaching goal. Through self provided of experimental materials, improvement of free-hand sectioning technique, reform of teaching methods, and change of assessment methods, students′ practical skills were improved, experimental effects were optimized, and the teaching goals were achieved. At the same time, a brief summary of the experimental reforms effects was made. The reform direction is forecasted in experimental teaching of pharmaceutical botany.

Key words: free-hand sectioning technique, pharmaceutical botany, experimental teaching, reform