Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke, also known as qust, is distributed more or less throughout the globe. It is an important member of the Asteraceae family as it is well known all over the world for its traditional medicinal uses. Numerous phytoconstituents have been reported from the plant by different authors that are responsible for many biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-tumour, spasmolysis, cortisol-lowering effect, a bronchodilator, antiviral, inhibitory effects on killing activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, antiangiogenic effects, anti-parasitic, CNS depressant, anti-cancer abilities and anti-diabetic activities. terpenes such as costunolide, dihydrocostunolide, 12 methoxydihydro costunolide, dihydrocostus lactone, dehydrocostus lactone , α-hydroxy dehydrocostus lactone, β- hydroxy dehydrocostus lactone, lappadilactone , mokko lactone, betulinic acid, betulinic acid methyl esters cynaropicrin, reynosin, santamarine , saussureamines A-C , αcyclocostunolide, alantolactone, isoalantolactone , isodihydrocostunolide, βcyclocostunolide , β- hydroxyl arbusculin A, arbusculin B, saussureal and so on, which have antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. In Unani literature, Roots are of three type’s qust behri or qust arbi, qust hindi and qust shirin. The present article describes a detailed review of literature of this plant species including taxonomy, pharmacology, Phyto Chemical Constituents and pharmacological activities in an organized way. This review paper will surely serve as an important source for future scientific investigations on this plant.