Currently the main traditional medicinal part of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is its roots which are used as a health food ingredient for direct consumption while the aboveground stems and leaves which have similar effects are all discarded as waste. This paper aims to find the potential of aboveground parts of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua explore the functional components and mechanism of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and clarify the research and development direction of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua resources. Methods Through extensive literature research and analysis of the research status of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua a comprehensive review was conducted on the composition content structure activity and mechanism of chemical components in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua on the differences in the content of main chemical components such as total polysaccharides total saponins and total flavonoids in different origins different growth stages different habitats and different parts of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua as well as on the extraction process of total flavonoids. Results It was found that Polygonatum cyrtonema has many biological activities such as regulating blood sugar anti-fatigue enhancing immunity anti-tumor antibacterial anti-virus anticoagulant and antidepressant effects. Its main functional components are polysaccharides saponins flavonoids and alkaloids. Conclusion There are significant differences in the content of total polysaccharides total saponins and total flavonoids in Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua from different origins growth stages and habitats. The aboveground parts also contain functional components such as total polysaccharides total saponins and total flavonoids. In the future it is necessary to enhance the in-depth research and development of the Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua resource making full use of its potential.