Objective To investigate manifestations of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms in a model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and observe the effects of decoction of Angelica sinensis, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and mutton on TCM symptoms of Sprague Dawley (SD) female rats with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. Methods A female rat model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency was established by combined gavage with adenine and ice senna. After model establishment, rats were randomly divided into five groups: low, medium, and high dose decoction of Angelica sinensis, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and mutton groups; Zhenwu decoction positive-control group; spleen-kidney Yang deficiency model group; and blank control normal group. After continuous administration for 4 weeks, the water and food intake of rats was recorded daily, and their body weight and rectal temperatures were measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, general TCM symptoms were evaluated; an open field test was performed; and the tongue, tail, and soles of each rat were photographed and analyzed under the same light and in the same position. The effects of the decoction of Angelica sinensis, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and mutton on TCM symptoms of SD female rats with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency were comprehensively discussed. Results Compared with the model group, the groups given low, medium, or high doses showed improvements in mental status, eyes, ear and tail color, hair, feces, and there were significant differences in their mental state, eyes, hair and feces (P<0. 05). The body weight and rectal temperature of each group gradually increased, and there were no significant differences between the groups at the end of the experiment (P>0. 05). Water intake by rats in each group (except in the normal group) gradually decreased but was still significantly higher than that of the normal group (P<0. 05). In the open field test, the time, distance, fast movement time, and slow movement time in the central and peripheral areas of the low, medium and high dose groups were significantly improved over those of the model group. Time spent in the central and peripheral areas, distance moved in the central area, and time spent resting in the peripheral area of the middle and high dose rats were significantly different from those of the model group (P<0. 05). According to the RGB color mode, the R, G and B values of the tail, soles, and tongue surfaces of the rats in the low, medium, and high dose groups were higher than those in the model group, and the R and B values of the tails were significantly higher (P<0. 5). The G value was highest in the rats in the high dose group, and there was a significant difference (P<0. 5). The R value of the soles was significantly different (P<0. 5). The G values of the positive group and middle and high dose groups were significantly higher than that of the model group (P<0. 5). The R values of tongue surfaces of the middle and high dose groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0. 05), suggesting that the gavage of decoction of Angelica sinensis, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and mutton significantly improved the color of the tails, soles, and tongues of the rats. Conclusions Decoction of Angelica sinensis, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and mutton improved TCM symptoms in SD female rats with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency, and the effect was strongest in the high-dose decoction of Angelica sinensis, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and mutton group.