In order to explore the medication characteristics of expectorants in the Huatan prescriptions commonly used in treating ischemic stroke recently. “Huatan/Qutan/Ditan/Huotan/Daotan/Guntan/Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction/Xinglou Chengqi Decoction/Wendan Decoction/Erchen Decoction/Xiao xianxiong Decoction/Lingjiao Gouteng Decoction/Jieyu Dan” + “ischemic stroke/cerebral ischemia/cerebral infarction/cerebral embolism/cerebral thrombus” + “clinical” as the main topic on the China National Knowledge Network (from May 1, 1986 to April 1, 2024) was used to investigate the medication characteristics of expectorants, and selected literature meeting the criteria. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Excel and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 software. The results show that Banxia and Tian nan-xing are the most frequently used expectorants in different stages of ischemic stroke, followed by Fuling, Shi chang-pu, Chenpi, and Gancao. The dosages of most expectorants are 10~15 g. In the analysis of Siqi and five flavors, Wen, Ping, Xin, Ku, and Gan have the highest frequency of occurrence in different stages of ischemic stroke. In the analysis of meridian tropism, the lung and spleen meridian have the highest frequency of occurrence. Most Huatan prescriptions are composed of 8~14 herbs in both the acute and rehabilitation stages, accounting for 82.51% and 78.05% of the total frequency, respectively. In the analysis of association rules, 25 traditional Chinese medicine combinations with strong correlation strength are obtained, and the most combinations of herbs are Huatan-Xifeng-Tongluo and Huatan-Huoxue-Qufeng. Most Huatan prescriptions are administered through the traditional decoction method and generally used in combination with Western medicine. It is concluded that the commonly used expectorants in Huatan prescriptions for treating ischemic stroke are mainly Banxia and Tian nan-xing, and the dosage ranges of most expectorants are 10~15 g. The number of herbs in Huatan prescriptions is mainly 8~14. The research results provide references and clinical data support for the application of expectorant Chinese medicine and Huatan prescriptions in the treatment of ischemic stroke and the development of research on treating ischemic stroke from the perspective of phlegm.