Ethnopharmacological relevance: The Saururus genus (family Saururaceae) comprises two species, Saururus cernuus L. and Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill., which are widely distributed across Asia and North America, and are particularly common in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Aim of the study: This review focuses on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of the Saururus genus, aiming to elucidate the relationships between its traditional medicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, and bioactivities, thereby providing a scientific basis for further research into its phytochemical and pharmacological activities. Materials and methods: Information on the Saururus genus was collected from various databases, such as Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley, ACS publications, Elsevier, and SpringerLink between 1982 and 2026. Plant names were verified by “World of Flora Online” (www.worldfloraonline.org). Results: A total of 158 compounds have been reported from species of the Saururus genus, predominantly lignans, along with flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds. The extracts and phytochemical constituents of the Saururus genus represent a rich source of diverse biological activities, including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and various other pharmacological effects. Conclusions: The review indicates that the Saururus genus is a promising source of biological compounds and highlights the potential of species within this genus. Thus, it will be helpful for further research into the pharmacognosy of the Saururus genus.