Objective To observe the time-effect relationship between acupuncture treatment and the absorption of cerebral hematoma and edema in the acute stage of cerebral hemorrhage to determine the optimal time for acupuncture intervention in cerebral hemorrhage.Methods Three hundred patients with cerebral hemorrhage in the acute stage were randomly allocated to treatment groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, and control group, 60 cases each. The control group received symptomatic treatment for regulating blood pressure, reducing intracranial pressure by dehydration, maintaining electrolyte balance, nourishing nerves and preventing and treating complications. The treatment groups were given acupuncture in addition. Treatment group 1 received acupuncture at 24 hrs after the attack; treatment group 2, at 72 hrs; treatment group 3, at one week; treatment group 4, at two weeks. Pre-/post-treatment hematoma size parameter difference value and cerebral peripheral edema grade parameters were observed in every group.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in hematoma size and cerebral edema grade in every group (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in hematoma size and cerebral edema grade between every treatment group and the control group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in hematoma size and cerebral edema grade between treatment group 1, 2 or 3 and treatment group 4 (P<0.05), between treatment group 1 or 2 and treatment group 3 (P<0.05) and between treatment groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture has a positive therapeutic effect in patients with cerebral hemorrhage in the acute stage. The earlier acupuncture intervention in the acute stage of cerebral hemorrhage, the more remarkable the effect.