We searched related literature on Chinese medicine for idiopathic interstitial pneumonias(IIPs)in recent ten years and reviewed on research progress of Chinese medicine for IIPs.From the perspective of Chinese medicine,most of the IIPs in the early period is characterized by excess while IIPs in the late period is characterized by deficiency.Though the medication and prescription for this disease in clinic are different,treatments focus on reinforcing deficiency and attacking pathogen or combining attack with reinforcement,and syndrome differentiation by stage or typing.Single Chinese medicine and its derivatives can relieve alveolitis and inhibit pulmonary fibrosis,which have effect in treating IIPs.Chinese medicine continuously perfects the understanding of IIPs.The treatment of Chinese medicine can delay the course of disease of patients with IIPs and improve the quality of life.