Abstract: Phyllanthus emblica L. (PE) was first recorded in the "Taiping Imperial Library" and has a long history of use as a treatment for biliary tract diseases, bronchitis, and diabetes. Modern research has shown that the bioactive ingredient contained in PE include PE polysaccharides, tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans and so on, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, liver protection and hypoglycemic effects. At present, most of the research on the bioactive ingredient of PE is focused on PE polysaccharides, and PE polyphenols, and as the research becomes more in-depth, the extraction technology is gradually developed in the direction of green, economic, efficient and recyclable, which makes the application of PE more and more extensive. The types and composition, structure, extraction techniques and efficacy of the bioactive ingredients of PE are summarized and discussed in this review to provide a theoretical evidence for future research and deep processing and utilization of PE in food industry and medicine.