Objective To study the effects of Wenshen Kechuan Tablets in relieving cough and asthma, and to make a preliminary investigation of its therapeutic mechanism. Methods The actions of relieving cough and asthma were studied with the cough model induced by ammonia water, asthma model induced by histamine- acetylcholine, asthma model induced by ovalbumin. In addition, the phenolsulfonphthalein excretion and lung overfall were measured. The therapeutic mechanism of Wenshen Kechuan Tablets was studied with the kidney- yang- insufficiency model induced by cortisol and the model of emasculated male mice. Results Wenshen Kechuan Tablets could significantly prolong the cough latent period and cough times within 3 min and increase phenol red secretion from trachea in cough model induced by ammonia water. Wenshen Kechuan Tablets could significantly prolong the asthma latent period and relieve spasm in guinea pigs with histamine- acetylcholine- induced asthma, prolong spasm latent period and reduce shock attack and lung overfall volume in guinea pigs with ovalbumin- induced asthma. Wenshen Kechuan Tablets had a protective effect on whole behavior and body weight increase in model mouse of insufficiency of kidney- yang, and show some androgen- like biological activity in emasculated male mice. Conclusion Wenshen Kechuan Tablets have obvious actions of relieving cough and asthma, the effects may be achieved by warming kidney- yang or by androgen- like biological activity.