Ilex cornuta is an evergreen shrub or dungarung of genus Ilex in Aquifoliaceae family. It is one of the traditional Chinese medicines in China.The leaves of I. cornuta are often used as the source of “Kudingcha” by Yao ethnic group.The chemical constituents of I. cornuta  are the basis of its pharmacological activity.It mainly includes triterpenoidal saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids and volatile oils.A total of 278 monomer components have been identified in the past ten years.Modern pharmacological studies have shown that I. cornuta has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor activities, and so on.This research summarized the reports on the chemical constituents, extraction and detection methods, pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of I. cornuta  at home and abroad in the past ten years.Drawbacks of current researches and development directions were also discussed, aiming to provide reference for further research and application of I. cornuta.