Objectives: We conducted a prospective clinical randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial (ChiCTR-TRC-14004156) to observe the effect of XiangBin granules on the recovery of gastrointestinal function and levels of brain-gut peptide motilin (MTL); vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP); growth hormone releasing peptide-ghrelin, GHRP-ghrelin, and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), after transabdominal gynecological surgery. Study design: Patients undergoing gynecologic abdominal surgery were randomly divided in a 2:1 ratio (according to the data of pre-trial which was a small sample randomized trial in gynecology inpatient) into two groups: the larger treatment group taking XiangBin granules, and the smaller placebo group taking Chinese herbal placebo. The aim was to observe anal exhaust time, time to defecation, and the change in level of brain-gut peptide. Result: A significantly shorter time to first postoperative anal exhaust was observed in the treatment group. In the placebo group, the MTL level on the first day after surgery was lower than the preoperative level (P < 0.05). In both groups, the GHRP-ghrelin level on the first postoperative day was lower than the preoperative level (P < 0.05). In the treatment group, the GHRP-ghrelin level of the third day after surgery was higher than the first day after surgery (P < 0.05). The CRH level on the first postoperative day was lower in the treatment group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: XiangBin granules can effectively promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery for gynecologic abdomen and promote GHRP-ghrelin and MTL recovery, and reduce the postoperative secretion of CRH. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.