Objective:To systematically investigate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs (CMHs) in the treatment of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS).Methods:Study searches were performed in 11 main English and Chinese databases from respective inception to August 2014,supplemented with a manual retrieval.Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CMHs (either alone or in combination with western medications) between western medications or placebo were included.Descriptive and quantitative data were extracted and tabulated.Methodological quality was assessed using Coehrane risk of bias.Results:A total of 10 studies published between 2008 and 2013 were included.The overall methodological quality was unclear risk of bias.A meta-analysis was not conducted,due to poor homogeneity.CMHs alone or in combination with western medications showed a better effect in terms of improving cough,post-nasal dripping sensation and cough-related quality of life,and lowering the risk of cough recurrence.There were no severe or serious adverse events in both groups.Conclusions:CMHs might be an effective and safe alternative to western medications in the treatment of UACS.This study highlighted the paucity of reliable clinical evidence for CMHs and the need for further high-quality RCTs.