Abstract: As an important source of Chinese traditional herb,some of Swertia have been included in the Ministry of Health Tibet standards and Chinese medicine hepatobiliary standard compilation volume.Based on the latest research status of medicinal botany of Swertia genus,drug type and geographic distribution,national application，chemical constituents,pharmacological effects,clinical applications were summarized in this article,in the view of Medicinal Ethnobotany.At the same time,some suggestions were proposed for future research.

Key words: Swertia, medicinal ethnobotany, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, clinical applications