Objective To study the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia with liver-qi stagnation and the effect of Chaihu Shugan Powder （Bupleurum powder for relieving liver-qi stagnation）.Methods Thirty-five cases of functional dyspepsia with liver-qi stagnation were taken as treatment group and 20 healthy volunteers were put into control group. The treatment group was administered Chaihu Shugan Powder for four weeks to observe the total effective rate of symptoms and effective rate of single symptoms

and the changes of gastrointestinal hormone

gastric emptying

electrogastrogram

and water-drinking test in combination with the report of Hamilton rating scale for depression （HAMD） were compared with those of the control group. Results After treatment

the total score of the treatment group was significantly different from that of before treatment （P<0.05）. The effective rate of single symptoms

including epigastric fullness

early satiety

epigastric pain

epigastric burning sensation

nausea

vomiting

belching

poor appetite

irritability and depression

bitter taste in mouth

dizziness

acid regurgitation

and loose stools of the treatment group were all improved （P<0.05）. But there was no difference in postprandial discomfort syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome （P>0.05）. Stomach emptying and preprandial and postprandial normal slow waves of electrogastrogram were improved

and amount of water-drinking increased （P<0.05）. Motilin was increased

corticotropin releasing hormone （CRH） decreased

postprandial leptin increased （P<0.05）

and symptoms of depression were improved. Three months after stopping medication

there was approximately no recurrence of symptoms.Conclusion Chaihu Shugan Powder functions well to relieve the symptoms of functional dyspepsia patients with liver-qi stagnation

quicken stomach emptying

improve electrogastrogram

decrease sensitivity of internal organs

and improve gastrointestinal hormone and symptom of depression.