Objective To research the application laws of orally taken Chinese medicinal for knee osteoarthritis（KOA）according to the related literature in recent 10years.Methods The clinical literature on KOA treated with orally taken Chinese medicinal was searched in VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database

China Academic Journal and Wanfang Database from 2002to 2012.The standards-compliant articles were included and the total medication frequency and medicinal pair frequency were analyzed with frequency statistics.Results There were 491articles

572Chinese medicinals and 23medicinal pairs included.The total medication frequency was 5 120and the top 10medicinals were:Niuxi（Radix Achyranthis bidentatae）

Danggui（Radix Angelicae sinensis）

Baishao（Radix Paeoniae alba）

Gancao（Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae）

Shudihuang（Radix Rehmanniae praeparata）

Duzhong（Cortex Eucommiae）

Chuanxiong（Rhizoma Chuanxiong）

Duhuo（Radix Angelicae pubescentis）

Weilingxian（Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis）and Huangqi（Radix Astragali）.The medicinal pair frequency was 891and the top 10pairs were:Niuxi-Duzhong

Huangqi-Danggui

Taoren（Semen Persicae）-Honghua（Flos Carthami）

Duhuo-Sangjisheng（Herba Taxilli）

Chuanwu（Radix Aconiti）-Caowu（Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii）

Niuxi-Danggui

Baishao-Gancao

Mahuang（Herba Ephedrae）-Guizhi（Ramulus Cinnamomi）

Ruxiang（Olibanum）-Moyao（Myrrha）and Huangbai（Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis）-Cangzhu（Rhizoma Atractylodis）.Conclusion The orally taken Chinese medicinal for KOA in recent 10years is mainly composed with liver-spleen-kidney-supplementing and wind-cold-dampdispelling medicinal and the role of medicinal pair is commonly supplementing the liver and kidney

strengthening sinew and bone

boosting qi and quickening the blood.