Abstract: Genus Lactarius were appreciated for nutritional and functional compostions including sesquiterpenes, sterols, gcranylphenols, lectins and enzymes with antitumor, anti-inflammation, antiviral activities and so on. However, the systematic safety assessments for these edible species were rarely reported. Meanwhile the potential active components and especially their mechanism were still not clear either. Many research results of genus Lactarius were summarized about nutritional and functional compostions, aiming at providing theoretical basis on their safety assessments and health products development, and laying foundation for study and development of novel natural drugs and biopesticides.