Gardenia jasminoides Ellis,a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine,is widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions of our country.Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is of high medicinal value since it contains many kinds of chemical constituents,such as iridoids,monoterpenoids,diterpenes,triterpenoids,organic acid esters,and flavonoids.Gardenia jasminoides Ellis has the functions of liver and gallbladder protection,anti-inflammation and analgestic,blood pressure reduc-tion,lipid regulation,anti-depression,blood sugar decrease,and nerve protection.In this paper,the research progress of the chemical constituents and pharmacological action of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis at home and abroad in recent years is reviewed,so as to provide a reference for the further development and utilization of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis in the future.