Objective To investigate the effects of umbilical compress therapy with Tetradium ruticarpum on gastrointestinal motility and hormone secretion after abdominal surgery. Methods Eighty patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly divided into control group and observation group,with 40 patients in each group. The observation group received umbilical compress therapy with T.ruticarpum in addition to the conventional treatment for the control group.Postoperative gastrointestinal motility and hormone secretion and nutritional status were compared between the two groups. Results The observation group showed significantly shorter time to first flatus,time to first defecation,time to first bowel sound,and time to diet than the control group (P<0.05). Serum gastrin and motilin levels were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Umbilical compress therapy with T.ruticarpum following abdominal surgery can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function, possibly through regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones.