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[Objectives] To study the effects of Panax ginseng, Codonopsis pilosula and Pseudostellaria heterophylla on the growth and development of SD female rats. [Methods] The rats were randomly divided into control group, P. ginseng group, C. pilosula group, and P. heterophylla group, intragastrically administered with physiological saline, P. ginseng, C. pilosula, and P. heterophylla for 2 weeks, daily vaginal smear inspection was performed, estradiol (E2) level before and after intervention was detected, rats were dissected, took out ovary and uterus, and calculated the ovarian index and uterus index. [Results] In 4 groups of rats, there was no significant diiference in the time of sexual maturity and ovarian index; compared with the control group, E2 level of C. pilosula group and P. ginseng group were higher (P < 0.05); compared with the control group and P. heterophylla group, the ovaria index of P. ginseng group was higher (P < 0.05); compared with the control group, the body weight of three administration groups increaed much more (P < 0.05). [Conclusions] P. ginseng and C. pilosula may lead to sexual maturity of SD female rats, while P. ginseng, C. pilosula and P. heterophylla can promote increase of body weight of SD female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]