The invention discloses a method for detecting benzoic acid content in Kushen compound salicylic acid powder. The method uses high performance liquid chromatography and comprises the steps of: S1, preparation of a reference solution and a test solution comprises (1) preparation of the reference solution by taking a proper amount of analytically pure benzoic acid, accurately weighing, adding absolute ethyl alcohol to produce a solution as the reference solution containing 1.2 mg per 1 ml; (2) preparation of the test solution comprises taking 0.5g of Kushen compound salicylic acid powder, accurately weighing, adding 50ml into a volumetric flask, adding 40ml of absolute ethyl alcohol, sealing with plug, conducting ultrasonic treatment for 3-7 min, cooling, diluting with absolute ethyl alcohol to the mark, shaking evenly, filtering, and taking the filtrate as the test solution; and S2, detection: taking precisely 10 mul of the test solution and 10 mul of the reference solution, injecting into the liquid chromatograph, and measuring by using 0.03-0.07mol / L potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution-methanol as the mobile phase. The detection method provided by the invention is simple and easy to operation; the extraction of benzoic acid in the Kushen compound salicylic acid powder is thorough; and the detection result is accurate and reliable.