Objective To evaluate comprehensively the effect of Qingre Huatan Formula （formula for heat-clearing and phlegm-dissolving） on the phlegm heat in lung of acute embittering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD）. Methods Totally 140 AECOPD patients were randomized into test group and control group

both were treated according to the Guide on Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

additionally

the test group was administered heat-clearing and phlegm-dissolving formulas

while the control group was given placebo

7 days as one course of treatment

totally for 2 courses. The comprehensive effect

single symptom effect

lab indices

and survival quality were observed. Results The dropout of two groups was 6 cases in all. Of the 69 cases in the test group

57 （82.6%） were remarkably effective; of the 65 cases in the control group

34 （52.4%） were remarkably effective. There was statistical difference in the comprehensive effect between （P<0.05）. In improving the symptoms including cough

expectoration

fullness in chest

asthmatic breathing

and poor appetite

the effect of the test group was better than that of the control group （P<0.05）. In the test group

there existed an improvement of lung function

promotion of absorption of inflammation

and promotion of survival quality （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. Conclusion Qingre Huatan Formula is effective in treating AECOPD

significantly improving the clinical symptoms and lung function in enhancing the survival quality.