Objective To discuss pharmacological effects and mechanisms underlying heat-clearing and detoxifying effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction. Methods Literature database of Pubmed and CNKI were searched comprehensively for pharmacological and mechanistic studies of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction. The related literature was analyzed and reviewed. Results Pharmacological activities related to heat-clearing and detoxifying effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction included anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, anti-oxidation, lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipid, lowering blood pressure, anti-tumor and immune...