Objective To research the mechanism of Chenpi Liyan Mixture [mixture of Chenpi （Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae） to relieve the throat] for chronic pharyngitis. Methods Thirty-six rabbits were randomized into the blank control group

model group

Yinhuang Tablet group and Chenpi Liyan large-dose

middle-dose and small-dose groups

with 6 in each. The chronic pharyngitis models were established in other groups except the blank control group. On the 14th day of modeling

Chenpi Liyan large-dose

middle-dose and small-dose groups were gavaged with the original liquid of Chenpi Liyan Mixture and the original liquid diluted with normal saline to 1 or 2 times and the dose was 10 ml/kg. Yinhuang Tablet group was gavaged with 10 ml/kg of 0.026 g/ml Yinhuang Tablet suspension. The blank control and model groups were gavaged with the same volume of normal saline. Each group was administrated once daily for 8 consecutive days. The pharyngeal mucosa was observed

the blood in marginal ear vein was taken for hemorheology

and the pharyngeal mucosa biopsy was taken one hour after the last gavage. Results Changes of pharyngeal mucosa observed in macroscopic and their pathological grading were significant different between the model group and Chenpi Liyan large-dose and middle-dose groups （P<0.01）. Comparing with the model group

the whole blood viscosity in Yinhuang Tablet group and Chenpi Liyan groups was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The whole blood viscosity in Chenpi Liyan middle-dose group was significantly lower than that in Yinhuang Tablet group and Chenpi Liyan large-dose and small-dose groups （P<0.01）. Conclusion Chenpi Liyan Mixture can relieve the inflammation of pharyngeal mucosa in rabbits with chronic pharyngitis

which may be relevant to the reduction of the whole blood viscosity.