BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has affected an increasing number of people globally, with still limited clinical success. Huanglian Decoction (HLD) is a famous classical prescription documented for alleviating gastrointestinal disorders with unexplored therapeutic effects and mechanisms. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of HLD in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice. METHODS: The efficacy and safety of HLD were evaluated in a well-established DSS-induced colitis mice model. Disease progression was monitored via clinical symptoms, histopathological examination, biochemical assays, and epithelial barrier function evaluation. RESULTS: HLD alleviated DSS-induced colitis symptoms, reversed colon length reduction, reduced histological injury, downregulated the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, maintained the tight distribution of ZO-1/occludin-1 and the normal level of beta-catenin, concurrent with apoptosis reduction in the colonic epithelium. After HLD treatment, the DSS-induced gut dysbiosis was modulated, and the gut microbiota achieved a new equilibrium state. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that HLD may present a potential remedy for UC treatment, providing evidence for further developing Chinese classical prescriptions.