Immunomodulation by Chai-Ling-Tang, a formula consisting of twelve Chinese herbs

Chai Ling Tang(CLT) is a formula that combines two traditional Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions of Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Wu Ling San. The Xiao Chai Hu Tang consists of 7 herbs, which are bupleurum, scutellaria, pinellia, ginger, jujube, ginseng and licorice, and has been suggested to have anti inflammatory and anti allergy effects. Wu Ling San, which consists of poria, polyporus, alisma, atractylodes, and cinnamon bark, is implied to have diuretic effects. In this paper, the clinical and experimental evidences were reviewed to demonstrate the immunomodulatory effects of CLT. Additionally, some observations that may be due to mechanisms other than immunomodulation were also summarized.