Objective To observe the clinical effect of pricking blood therapy in treating acute stage of herpes zoster patients with heat stagnation in liver channel syndrome and to study the possible mechanism. Methods Totally 104 acute stage of herpes zoster patients of heat stagnation in liver channel type were randomized into treatment group and control group

52 cases in each group. The control group was given oral herbs and basic acupuncture treatment. In addition to the treatment of the control group

blood-letting therapy was given in the treatment group. Seven days were one course in both groups. After the pain was completely disappeared

the treatment stopped. Preset treating time was 7 to 28 days. Patients’ skin lesions healing and pain relief in both groups were examined. The changes of blood plasma β-endorphin level before and after treatment was detected. Results The vesiculation stopping time

incrustation starting time

total incrustation time

decrustation starting time

time of pain starting to relieve and pain disappearing in the treatment group was shorter than those in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. After 30 days

the incidence of neuralgia in both groups was 3. 85%（ P > 0. 05）. After treatment

the increase of blood plasma β-endorphin level in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. As for the comprehensive curative effect evaluation

the total effective rate of the control group and the treatment group was 86. 54% and92. 31% respectively

with significant difference（ P < 0. 05）. Conclusion Pricking blood therapy might promote the healing of herpes zoster lesions and relieve the pain

increase of the level of patient’ s blood plasma β-endorphin might be one of the mechanisms.