OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Yupingfeng powder on immune function of rats with lung-qi deficiency syndrome. METHODS: 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive group [Renshen beiqi tablet 0.6 g (crude drug)/kg] and Yupingfeng powder high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups [24, 12, 6 g (crude drug)/kg], with 10 rats in each group. Except for normal group, those groups were given SO2+comprehensive cold stimulation to induce lung-qi deficiency syndrome model. After modeling, treatment groups were given relevant drug solutions intragastrically, and normal group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 13 d. After administration, serum levels of IL-3 and IL-6, the proportion of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ in T lymphocyte were determined, and pathological changes of lung and bronchus were observed. RESULTS: Compared with normal group, serum levels of IL-3 and IL-6 and the proportion of CD8+ in T lymphocyte increased significantly in model group, while the proportions of CD3+ and CD4+ in T lymphocyte and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ decreased (P<0.01); obvious lung and bronchus injury and inflammatory reaction were observed. Compared with model group, serum level of IL-3 decreased significantly in positive group and Yupingfeng powder high-dose group; serum level of IL-6 and the proportion of CD8+ in T lymphocyte decreased significantly in positive group and Yupingfeng powder high-dose and medium-dose groups, while the proportion of CD3+ in T lymphocyte increased significantly; the proportion of CD4+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ increased significantly in treatment groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01); lung and bronchial injury, and inflammation reaction were relieved. CONCLUSIONS: Yupingfeng powder can enhance immune function of rats with lung-qi deficiency syndrome.