Abstract: Gastrointestinal dysfunction can cause a few chronic diseases or other health problems. Maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract is essential to improve human health and quality of life. Medicinal and edible substances as main raw materials have shown greater benefits in improving gastrointestinal tract function. This paper summarizes the medicinal and edible substances and ancient prescriptions containing medicinal and edible substances, and analyzes the mechanism of medicinal and edible substances and compound prescriptions for improving gastrointestinal tract function from three aspects: Anti-Helicobacter pylori, digestion promotion and gastric mucosa protection. Finally, we analyze the efficacy and formulae of existing food products for improving gastrointestinal tract on the market, in order to provide some ideas for further development of dietary resources and research of dietary therapy products with improving gastrointestinal tract functions.