RESUMEN
Changium smyrnioides (C . smyrnioides) Wolff is one species of monotypic genus in the A piaceae family w hich is a Chinese endemic species medicinal plant .It has the effect of nourishing the body ,improving health ,moiste‐ning the lung ,eliminating sputum and suppressing cough ,regulating stomach and relieving vomiting ,neutralizing toxins and subsiding swelling .C .smyrnioides as one kind of medicinal food and tonic agents ,is one of the important export medicinal ma‐terials .The tonic effect may be related with immuno‐regulatory ,anti‐fatigue and anti‐stress activities ,and polysaccharides are the main active constituents .The progress of the active constituents and pharmacological actions of C .smyrnioides are re‐viewed to provide basis for future rational development and utilization .