Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of turbidity-transforming toxin-resolving formula combined with acupuncture on chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG）. Methods Totally 120 CAG patients with turbidity-toxin brewing internally pattern were randomized into the acupuncture group

medicine group and acupuncture combined with medicine group. The acupuncture group was given acupuncture on Zhongwan （CV12）

bilateral Tianshu （ST25） and bilateral Neiguan （PC6） once daily

rested for 2 days and treated five times as one treatment course. The medicine group was given turbidity-transforming toxin-resolving formula one dose daily in the morning and evening. The acupuncture combined with medicine group was given acupuncture and turbidity-transforming toxin-resolving formula. The treatment lasted for 6 months. The TCM symptom scores including stomach pain

bloating

belch

poor appetite

uncomfortable stool and therapeutic effect were observed after 1

3 and 6 months of treatment. Results There was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and medicine group in the efficacy after 1

3 and 6 months of treatment （P>0.05）. The efficacy of the acupuncture combined with medicine group was superior to that of the acupuncture group and medicine group after 1

3 or 6 months of treatment （P<0.01）. The symptom scores were significantly improved in all groups after treatment （P<0.05）

especially in the acupuncture combined with medicine group （P<0.05）. Conclusion Turbidity-transforming toxin-resolving formula combined with acupuncture for CAG can effectively relieve the symptoms with a better short-term and long-term efficacy as compared with medicine or acupuncture simply.