Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can repair the gut barrier by interacting with gut microbiota. TCM can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiota, while gut microbiota can transform TCM compounds. The metabolites produced by these interactions have noticeable pharmacological effects on the gut barrier. Recent studies have explored the effects of TCM on gut barriers from the perspective of gut microbiota and its metabolites. However, no review has summarized the mechanisms behind these beneficial effects of TCM. This review first introduces the structure and function of the gut barrier, then summarizes the interactions and relationships among gut microbiota, gut microbiota metabolites, and TCM. It further summarizes the regulatory effects and mechanisms of TCM on the gut barrier, including physical, chemical, immunological, and microbial barriers. Finally, it discusses the effects of TCM on diseases associated with gut barrier damage, such as ulcerative colitis and type 2 diabetes. The review provides insights into TCM, gut barrier, and gut microbiota, enabling the development of new strategies to treat diseases by modulating the gut barrier. The gut barrier is essential for protecting the host from harmful microorganisms. It includes physical, chemical, immunological, and microbial components. Dysfunction of the gut barrier is implicated in various diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, enteric infections, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and inflammatory bowel disease. Gut microbiota, the largest micro-ecological system in the human body, plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal function of the host. The composition of the gut microbiota is closely associated with the function of the gut barrier and the development of various diseases. A healthy gut microbiota suppresses the growth and translocation of pathogens, strengthens the gut mucosal barrier, and reduces the absorption of toxins. On the contrary, gut microbiota dysbiosis can lead to the development of diseases such as hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, anxiety, depression, and cancer. In addition to gut microbiota, its metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (BAs), and tryptophan (Trp) also play a crucial role in influencing gut barriers. These metabolites are involved in maintaining the normal function of hosts and the development of diseases. For example, SCFAs are viewed as crucial energy sources and anti-pathogen factors for intestinal epithelial cells. Other than that, SCFAs can upregulate the expressions of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin, which are beneficial for reinforcement of gut physical barrier. BAs can regulate gut microbial barrier via inducing the transcription of antimicrobial agents such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin (IL)-18. Moreover, Trp and its metabolites have been found to be beneficial forTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can repair the gut barrier by interacting with gut microbiota. TCM can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiota, while gut microbiota can transform TCM compounds. The metabolites produced by these interactions have noticeable pharmacological effects on the gut barrier. Recent studies have explored the effects of TCM on gut barriers from the perspective of gut microbiota and its metabolites. However, no review has summarized the mechanisms behind these beneficial effects of TCM. This review first introduces the structure and function of the gut barrier, then summarizes the interactions and relationships among gut microbiota, gut microbiota metabolites, and TCM. It further summarizes the regulatory effects and mechanisms of TCM on the gut barrier, including physical, chemical, immunological, and microbial barriers. Finally, it discusses the effects of TCM on diseases associated with gut barrier damage, such as ulcerative colitis and type 2 diabetes. The review provides insights into TCM, gut barrier, and gut microbiota, enabling the development of new strategies to treat diseases by modulating the gut barrier. The gut barrier is essential for protecting the host from harmful microorganisms. It includes physical, chemical, immunological, and microbial components. Dysfunction of the gut barrier is implicated in various diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, enteric infections, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and inflammatory bowel disease. Gut microbiota, the largest micro-ecological system in the human body, plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal function of the host. The composition of the gut microbiota is closely associated with the function of the gut barrier and the development of various diseases. A healthy gut microbiota suppresses the growth and translocation of pathogens, strengthens the gut mucosal barrier, and reduces the absorption of toxins. On the contrary, gut microbiota dysbiosis can lead to the development of diseases such as hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, anxiety, depression, and cancer. In addition to gut microbiota, its metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (BAs), and tryptophan (Trp) also play a crucial role in influencing gut barriers. These metabolites are involved in maintaining the normal function of hosts and the development of diseases. For example, SCFAs are viewed as crucial energy sources and anti-pathogen factors for intestinal epithelial cells. Other than that, SCFAs can upregulate the expressions of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin, which are beneficial for reinforcement of gut physical barrier. BAs can regulate gut microbial barrier via inducing the transcription of antimicrobial agents such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin (IL)-18. Moreover, Trp and its metabolites have been found to be beneficial for