Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent and common abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movement illness. IBS is characterized by a multiple symptom complex of abdominal pain

bloating

and sometimes bouts of diarrhea and/or constipation.IBS can be recurrent imposes a substantial economic burden in direct medical costs and in indirect social costs. There is no cure for IBS in Western medicine. Although current IBS therapies are somewhat useful for some patients in relieving single IBS symptoms

patients generally are dissatisfied with their overall efficacy and tolerability. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can provide an alternative treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and many kinds of formulas were proved to be effective in treating IBS in recent years. The present article reviewed the mechanisms of these formulas.