Gingerol is one of the bioactive ingredients in ginger, which plays an important role in the medicinal efficacy of ginger. In this study, the chemical structure and composition of gingerol were introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of different extraction technology and separation methods of components were compared according to the difference of gingerol compounds. In addition, the main problem of determining gingerol method was put forward. The research progress of gingerol functions and mechanisms including anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti lipid of gingerol in the domestic and foreign were introduced. According to it’s functional characteristics, the application prospects of gingerols in food, medicine, health care and cosmetics were finally prospected.