To investigate the medication rule of traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of liver cancer. Methods: Database of scientific papers published between 2002-2012 on TCM treatment of liver cancer was set up and analyzed by Frequency method. Results: The herbs mostly common used in clinical practice are Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, Radix bupleuri, Liquorice. The single medicine mostly commonly experimented in labs are Macrocephalae, Sculellaria barbata, Oldenlandia diffusa, Liquorice, Poria cocos. The commonly used medicine pairs are Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae with Poria cocos, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae with Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus membranaceus with Pilosulae, Astragalus membranaceus with Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus with Poria cocos. These herbal medicines are used mainly for tonifying Qi, or for clearing heat antitoxicant, or promoting blood-activating and removing stasis, or regulating qi, diuresis or diffusing dampness, digestion. Conclusion: There are certain prescription rules when treating liver cancer with TCM: Most commonly used medicine is tonifying medicine, in combination with heat-clearing antitoxicant medicine and blood-activating medicine. Based on result of syndrome differentiation, other categories of Chinese traditional medicine can be used.