A method for treating or relieving inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is provided, including administering an extract of Bupleurum as an active ingredient to a subject. The Bupleurum may be selected from the group consisting of Bupleurum krylovianum, Bupleurum chinense, Bupleurum commelynoideum, Bupleurum scorzonerifolium, Bupleurum triradiatum, Bupleurum falcatum, Bupleurum kaoi and a combination thereof.
