Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of a Chinese traditional prescription, Yuebi Banxia decoction, on allergic asthma in mice by observing the changes of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and lung tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the mouse model of allergic asthma. Methods Forty healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group, asthma model group, dexamethasone intervention group and Chinese medicine preparation group. The mouse model of asthma was generated by peritoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and suspension of aluminium hydroxide. The mice of traditional Chinese medicine group received Yuebi Banxia decoction in a dose of 1 mL/100 g, daily for 30 days. The mice of dexamethasone group were given intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone 1 mg/kg. The normal control group and asthma model group were given gastric gavage of physiological saline. After 30 days administration, the serum levels of IgE and SOD activity of lung tissue were determined, and the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed using HE staining. Results The mice of traditional Chinese medicine preparation group showed significantly decreased serum IgE level, and significantly increased SOD activity than those of the asthma model group mice (P<0.05 for both). Conclusions Reduced serum IgE and increased SOD activity in the lung tissue of mice with allergic asthma, improving the antioxidant ability of lung tissue, may be involved in the anti-allergic asthma mechanism of the Chinese traditional prescription Yuebi Banxia decoction.