一个新药的创制是一个漫长而复杂的过程，涉及到许多领域和方方面面，也有许多途径和突破口。在突出创新药物中的“创（creation）”字的前提下，从传统中药、民间草药、有效成分、结构改造及仿生合成、代谢产物、关键技术等方面对与中药相关的创新药物进行了探讨，以期对中药创新药物的研发有所参考与启发。

It is a long journey to create a new medicine from discovering the lead to market, which deal with various fields and aspects. There are also many ways and entrances or starting points for the creation of a new medicine. In this article, the following aspects including the ways from traditional Chinese materia medica, folk herbal medicine, active components, and structure modification involved in new medicine creation were discussed. Biomimetic syntheses, metabolites, and key technologies to affect the creative medicine were also summarized based on author's experiences. It is expected to be referenced information and inspired for the colleagues.