Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of frankincense lotion prescription plus limbexercisein treatment of shoulder hand syndrome after cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 64 patients with shoulder hand syndrome after cerebral infarction were involved in this study and received standard treatment plus limb exercise. Patientswere randomly divided into 2 groups: Lotion group in which patients received frankincense lotion prescription (n = 32) and control group in which patients received hot water treatment (n = 32). After 25 minutes for one time, once per day and 14 consecutive days, curative efficacy, simplified Fugl-Meyer method of movement function score (FMA), Ashworth score, upper limb spasm pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and stroke specific quality of life scale (SS-QOL) of two groups were evaluated. Satisfaction rate and adverse events were recorded. Results Patients in Lotion group who received lotion treatment for 1 or 2 weeks both had increased FMA score and SS-QOL score and decreased Ashworth score and VAS score when compared with that prior to any treatments. Patients in control group who received lotion treatment for at least 2 weeks experienced the similar improvement when compared with that prior to treatments. Curative efficacy, patient satisfaction, FMA score and SS-QOL score increased while Ashworth score and VAS score decreased significantly after 1 week or 2 weeks of lotion treatment compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the adverse reactions between the two groups were observed (P > 0.05). Conclusion Frankincense lotion prescription combined with limb functional exercises have promisingcurative effect in patients with shoulder hand syndrome after cerebral infarction, in addition to better satisfaction and safety.