Theoretically peripheral transplantation of umbilical cord blood stem cells can treat cirrhosis. There is a lack of specific treatment options for the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, and the main treatment is for the complications, such as protein transfusion, lowering blood ammonia, and releasing ascites. Umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy for cirrhosis is a new treatment modality, in which structurally and functionally normal cells are generally infused into the patient, thereby repairing damaged liver tissue and improving liver function. The stem cells in cord blood can differentiate into functional hepatocytes, which play certain anti-inflammatory and paracrine roles, thus improving liver function. Umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation can significantly improve the quality of life of cirrhosis patients, for example, symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal distension, loss of appetite and ascites will be reduced. In addition to umbilical cord blood stem cells, autologous bone marrow stem cells and autologous peripheral stem cells can also be used to treat cirrhosis. The pathways of stem cell treatment include peripheral vein, femoral artery, etc. Each pathway has its own advantages and disadvantages, and should be chosen according to the patient’s own situation. At present, there are still unresolved problems in stem cell therapy for cirrhosis, which is in the basic stage, and the clinical application is not very extensive, and more clinical studies are needed to confirm it.