School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Objective: To trace the origin and development of medicinal tea formulas, explores the medicinal value of tea in the formulas to provide traditional Chinese medicine practitioners with the idea of using tea in the formulas. Methods: This thesis combed through the medicinal tea formulas in the medical books of the past dynasties and explored the main indication, usage and preparation of the medicinal tea formulas. Results: Tea had the record with the medicinal effects in many herbal literatures. Doctors often used tea with other Chinese herbs together in the formulas. Conclusion: This kind of formula combining tea and Chinese herbs was called as “medicinal tea formula”. Medicinal tea formula had been standardized and formed during the Song Dynasty in China. A comprehensive overview of the medicinal tea formulas from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty can provide a reference for the treatment of many indications and improve the value of the medicinal tea formulas.