Objective To observe the effect of Butu Xuanfei Formula（Herbal formula invigorating the spleen to benefit the lung）on the cough induced by common cold.Methods Patients up to diagnostic criteria were randomized into herbal group（75 cases）

integrated Chinese and western medicine group（74 cases）

and control group（73 cases）.The herbal group was treated with Butu Xuanfei Formula with modifications based on symptoms

one dosage a day.The integrated group was administered the western medicine

Compound Methoxyphenamine Capsules

in addition to the same herbal treatment

2 capsules each time

three times a day.The control group was given compound methoxyphenamine capsules only.After 3 courses of treatment（21 days）

the therapeutic effect and side reactions of all 3 groups were observed for comparison.Results The effect on the symptom of cough of 3 groups:the effective rate of the herbal group was 93.3%（70/75）

that of the integrated group was 94.6%（70/74）

and that of the control group was 64.4%（47/73）.The overall effect of 3 groups:the total effective rate of the herbal group was 94.7%（71/75）

that of the integrated group was 96.0%（71/74）

and that of the control group was 64.4%（47/73）.The total effective rate of the herbal group and the integrated group in controlling the symptom of cough and overall effect was all higher than that of the control group（P<0.01）.There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate between the herbal group and integrated group（P>0.05）.Conclusion Butu Xuanfei Formula is effective for the cough induced by common cold.The integrated treatment is broadly similar with single herbal treatment in therapeutic effect.