Melanosis coli， chronic intestinal disease， is characterized by chromatosis， accompanied by symptoms of difficult defecation， abdominal pain and distension， tense anxiety， sleep and diet deficit， and emaciation.The author summarized etiologies of melanosis coli from the aspects of anthraquinone laxative，constipation，age and gender，metal elements，mineral，and inflammatory bowel disease，and reviewed the study process of Chinese medicine in treating the disease.