To review the research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of plants belonging to genus Emilia and provide useful references for the further research. The literatures and monographs about genus Emilia over the past decades were referred

and the progress of the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities were summarized. Alkaloids

flavonoids

volatile oils are the main chemical constituents of genus Emilia. Many extracts prepared from the plants of the discussed genus show various biological activities

such as anti-tumor

anti-inflammatory

anti-nociceptive

anti-oxidant

etc . Because they have wide application prospects in anti-tumor

anti-inflammatory and other aspects

the study of the substance basis of the plants of genus Emilia should be enhanced. And it is important to strengthen the research in toxicity

due to poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloids

in order to provide references for safty.