Abstract: Plant essential oils have getting more and more attentions in recent years. People expect much of the effects of essential oils.A variety of plant essential oils were studied,including labiatae,compositae,myrtle and zingiberaceae. There are significant differences in chemical composition and content between different plant essential oils,which results in different biological activity.Different plant essential oils have biggish difference in chemical composition and content.Therefore,there also exist differences in biological activity. The researches about extraction,component analysis and antioxidant activity of plant essential oils in recent years were summarized in this paper,and this can help to lay a research foundation for the development and utilization of plant essential oils.