Chimonanthus Lindl.is a unique traditional medicinal plant in China,with a wide distribution and abundant resources.The essential oil is one of the main active components of the plant,including terpenoids,aromatic compounds and aliphatic compounds,which have pharmacological activities such as antibacterial,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antiviral and cough suppressant.It has good therapeutic effects on diseases such as vascular dementia,acute lung injury and ulcerative colitis.This paper presents a systematic classification of the chemical structures and synthesis pathways of essential oil components of Chimonanthus Lindl.and provides a brief overview of the related biological activities in order to make references for the further development and utilization of Chimonanthus Lindl.