Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by increased platelet destruction and decreased platelet production and mucocutaneous bleeding. Traditional Chinese and western medicine hematology experts reached the consensus to name the disease as "purpura disease". The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) etiology of ITP is complex

including exogenous and internal injuries.The TCM pathogenesis are mainly exogenous pathogenic heat

hemopyretic bleeding

spleen Qi deficiency

Qi dysfunction in blood control

liver-kidney Yin deficiency

flaring up of deficient fire

stagnation of blood stasis

failure of blood to circulate in vessels. In recent years

clinical and animal experimental researches have showed some progress in the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of ITP

including inhibition of platelet associated antibody production

reduction of platelet destruction and improvement of platelet function

promotion of maturation of megakaryocytes and increase in platelet production; regulation of cell immunity and humoral immunity

and restoration of immune function from disorder to balance. In this paper

clinical and experimental studies on TCM in the treatment of ITP were analyzed and summarized to provide a reference for the evaluation of the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of ITP and the new drugs research and development.