OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials or clinical controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion for interfere of ulcerative colitis in recent 10 years were reviewed and Meta-analysis was made for the literature results. RESULTS: Altogether 11 papers of clinical study were enrolled. Heterogeneous tests were conducted for the results of the 11 studies, as a result, chi2 = 8.55, P = 0.67. The fixed effect model was used for statistical analysis, after combination OR = 3.82, confidence interval of 95% was 2.65-5.52. The rhombus was located at the right side of the medium line. After Z test, Z = 7.14, P < 0.01, the therapeutic effect and the cured rate in the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on ulcerative colitis is superior to that of western medicine with safety and less adverse reactions.