Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common cause of acute hepatitis. Regarding the risk of DILI from herbal preparations, there are controversial issues such as exaggerated reports straying far from the truth and lack of discrimination between herbal drugs and folk remedies or food supplements. This study reported one case of a patient with DILI caused by Smilacis Chinae Radix and cured in an Oriental hospital. Smilacis Chinae Radix has been used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, detoxification and anticancer compound, as a folk remedy. This report would provide helpful information for management of DILI by folk remedies or herbal drugs.