In this paper, the articles of auricular acupuncture in recent 20 years are sorted out and analyzed, and the theory and mechanism of auricular acupuncture in different schools are summarized and compared. Eight theories are included totally, i.e. meridian-collateral theory and zangfu theory of classic TCM, as well as neurodoctrine, neurohumoral theory, embryology theory, holography theory, biological cybernetics and chronobiology theory in modern times. Each of them has its own rationality.Hereafter, through more rigour scientific deign and in accordance with clinical and experimental studies, auricular acupuncture theory should be explored more scientifically and universally so as to provide the theoretic guidance and evidences for clinical treatment with auricular acupuncture, and then to improve the clinical therapeutic effect and promote the application of auricular acupuncture.
本文对近20年的国内外耳针相关文献进行整理和分析，归纳比较不同流派耳针的理论及作用机制。分析了包括古典中医的经络理论与脏腑理论，近现代的神经学说、神经体液学说、胚胎学理论、全息理论、生物控制论学说和时间生物学理论，8种理论学说各有其合理性。今后应通过更加严谨的设计，从临床和实验角度探索更具科学性和普适性的耳针理论，为耳针临床治疗提供指导和参考依据，从而提高临床疗效，促进耳针的应用和推广。.
Keywords: Auricular acupuncture; Comparative study; Effect mechanism; Theories.