Early intervention and integrated treatment of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and western medicine are important approaches to improve the cure rate and reduce the mortality rate of corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19). The review presents the pharmacological basis, clinical application and study strategies of traditional Chinese medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The compound recipes of TCM which are effectively applied in prevention and treatment of COVID-19, such as "Qingfei Paidu Decoction", are especially introduced. On basis of the theory and principal of TCM and adhering to the guidance of TCM theory, a multi-disciplinary, multi-level and multi-dimension screening and evaluation research system is carried out with the aid of advanced technology and method including big data, artificial intelligence, system biology, thereby to reveal Chinese medicine material basis, targets and mechanism of action in a more systematic, deep and comprehensive manner, and further to excavate the essence of TCM.