Viral pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by respiratory viruses that infect the nasal cavity and throat，progressing downward.The outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia(COVID-19) in 2019 posed a severe threat to human life and health.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of COVID-19 infection and has shown favorable prognosis.In the case of viral pneumonia，western medicine often focuses on symptomatic treatments such as antiviral，antibacterial，and antifungal therapies.In contrast，TCM treatment for viral pneumonia not only targets the virus itself but also regulates the overall condition of the body，such as enhancing the body's immune response to achieve therapeutic effects.By reviewing literature reports in China and abroad on the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Chinese medicines and their formulations in the treatment of viral pneumonia，it was found that Chinese medicines such as Gardeniae Fructus，Isatidis Radix，and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos showed good efficacy in treating viral pneumonia.Chinese medicinal prescriptions such as Qingfei Oral Liquid，Xijiao Dihuang Decoction modified with Yinqiao Powder，Haoqin Qingdan Decoction，Maxing Shigan Decoction，and Qingzao Jiefu Decoction were widely used in clinical practice with remarkable effects.Chinese medicinal prescriptions consisted of 152 Chinese medicines，with those acting on the lung meridian possessing the highest frequency of use.Among them，Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma，Scutellariae Radix，Armeniacae Semen Amarum，Lonicerae Japonicae Flos，and Ephedrae Herba were the most commonly used.The mechanisms of action were mainly related to anti-inflammatory，antiviral，and immune regulatory effects.This study provides a reference for future research on the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of Chinese medicines and their prescriptions in the treatment of viral pneumonia.