This study summarizes and reviews Chinese medicinal mangroves’ chemical constituent and medicinal effect researches in the past 50 years. Since 2000, the research on medicinal mangroves has increased exponentially, and the most attention is paid to Pongamia pinnata. 27 kinds of medicinal mangroves have been confirmed, and the main medicinal components include terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, quinones, carbohydrates, phenylpropanoids and alkaloids. Most medicinal mangroves have anti-tumour, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and some mangrove plants have unique medicinal effects, including anti-depression and anti-Alzheimer's disease. Existing research mainly focuses on the medicinal effects of mangrove plants, but the pharmacological mechanism needs further study. In view of the problems in medical components and the pharmacological effect of mangroves, some suggestions are put forward for their further development and utilization.