Objective To explore the composing prescription principles of common herbs of Chinese medicine treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（ COPD） at acute exacerbation stage. Methods The authors took Chinese Journal Full Text Database

China Hospital Digital Library

Wan Fang Data and Chinese Biological Medical Literature Database on disc as main retrieval targets. Clinical research papers of compound Chinese medicine treating COPD at acute exacerbation stage were included. Herbs were extracted to build database

and herb use frequency was accounted. The authors made analysis of association rules on paired herbs

three herbs combination

four herbs combination

five herbs combination

six herbs combination of high frequency herbs. Results In total

251 papers were included

181 herbs involved

with the use frequency of 2612. There were 44 herbs of which the use frequency was more than 15. Association rules showed that in the prescriptions with high frequency herbs of treating COPD at acute exacerbation stage

the paired herbs with the highest confidence level were Zisuzi [Fructus Perillae] and Laifuzi[Semen Raphani]. Three herbs combination was Banxia [Rhizoma Pinelliae]

Zisuzi and Chenpi [Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae]. Four herbs combination was Xingren [Semen Armeniacae Amarum]

Sangbaipi [Cortex Mori]

Huangqin[Radix Scutellariae]and Banxia. Five herbs combination was Banxia

Sangbaipi

Huangqin

Xingren and Gancao[Radix liquiritiae]. Six herbs combination was Zisuzi

Sangbaipi

Huangqin

Xingren

Banxia and Gancao. Conclusion The herbs used to treat COPD at acute exacerbation stage were most eliminating pathogen. Herbs of clearing lung-heat

eliminating phlegm

ventilating lung Qi

relieving cough

descending Qi and relieving asthma were emphasized.