Objective  To analyze the compatibility of marine Chinese medicine in the treatment of cough and panting by using data mining technology.

  Methods  A total of 100 marine Chinese prescriptions for the treatment of cough and asthma were screened out from relevant databases and books. Traditional Medicine Inheritance System (V2.5) software was used to analyze the frequency of use of traditional Chinese medicine in prescriptions and association rules among herbs, dig out the core combination of herbs, and obtain new marine Chinese prescriptions for cough and asthma.

  Results  Among the 100 marine Chinese prescriptions for the treatment of cough and asthma, the marine traditional Chinese herbs with high frequency of use included Geqiao, Haifushi, Haizao, Kunbu and Muli and so on. In the most commonly used herb combinations, Geqiao is often combined with Xingren, Beimu, Gancao, Sangbaipi, Qingdai, Huangqin, Mahuang, Banxia, Jiegeng and Juhong. The core combinations used in the new method cluster included core combination of Xingren-Geqiao-Mahuang, Gancao-Kunbu-Geqiao and Gancao-Geqiao-Mahuang. The new formulae based on entropy hierarchical clustering included core combination of Xingren-Geqiao-Mahuan-Shigao-Zisuzi and Gancao-Kunbu-Geqiao-Mahuang.

  Conclusion  Among the collected marine Chinese prescriptions for the treatment of cough and asthma, Geqiao is the most frequently used herbs, and the herbs often combining with Geqiao is mainly effective in clearing lung heat, softening and dispersing hard mass, resolving phlegm and relieving cough.