Aldose reductase (AR) is a critical enzyme in the development of the diabetic complications. AR, the first enzyme in the polyol pathway, catalyzes the reduction of the aldehyde form of glucose to sorbitol with concomitant conversion of NADPH to $NADP^+$. None of aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) has achieved worldwide use because of limited efficacy or undesirable side effects. Therefore, evaluating natural sources for ARI potential may lead to the development of safer and more effective agents against diabetic complications. Forty eight Chinese herbal medicines have been investigated for inhibitory activities on AR. Among them, seven herbal medicines, Buddleja officinalis (whole plant), Lonicera japonica (leaf and flower), Polygonum aviculare (aerial part), Polygonum aviculare (whole plant), Salvia miltiorrhiza (root), Schisandra chinensis (stem), and Zanthoxylum armatum (leaf and stem) exhibited a significant inhibitory activity against AR. Particularly, L. japonica and P. aviculare showed two times more potent inhibitory activity than the positive control, 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (TMG).