Abstract: Objective: To study the effect of artificial saliva and Chinese traditional medicine in patients with xerostomia resulting from radiotherapy. Methods: A total of 62 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving primary radiotherapy were divided into 2 groups, i.e. the treatment group (n=32) receiving artificial saliva and Chinese traditional medicine every day from the beginning of radiotherapy to l year after withdrawal of radiotherapy, and the control group (n=30) without receiving the treatment. Uptake rate (UR) and excretion rate (ER) of parotid and submandibular gland were examed with quantitative ^99mTcO₄^- scintiphotography before radiotherapy, after withdrawal of radiotherapy and l year after termination of the radiotherapy. Oral dryness and ability of chewing, swallowing and speaking were observed during the study. Results: There was no significant difference between the UR and ER of the patients' parotid and submandibular gland in treatment group and control group, before and after radiotherapy. The UR and ER was 1.85±0.50 and 2.95±0.61, respectively in the treatment group and was 1.32±0.44 and 1.62±0.47, respectively in the control group. One year after radiotherapy, the UR and ER in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Six months after radiotherapy, the rate of moderate and severe xerostomia was 46.9% (15/32) in treatment group, and 73.3% (22/30) in control group (P<0.05). One year after radiotherapy, the rate of moderate and severe xerostomia was 37.5% (12/32) in the treatment group and was 66.7% (20/30) in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Artificial saliva and Chinese traditional medicine are effective for radiation xerostomia, and they can improve the quality of life for patients with salivary gland dysfunction.