Abstract: Chinese herbal medicine is a kind of ideal feed additive whose application is beneficial to produce safe animal food and to guarantee human health. Due to its pure nature, no drug resistance, no drug residue and other characteristics, Chinese herbal medicine has been paid more and more attention. Herein, we review the action mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine and its application in livestock and poultry production, so as to provide scientific basis for the development and rational use of Chinese herbal medicine feed additive.