This review provides an overview on chemical and pharmacological studies on the essential oil, extracts, fractions and pure compounds from species of Baccharis, including their use in folk medicine and other uses of economic and environmental importance. A total of 139 isolated compounds (23 were new) and ∼27 biological activities are reported during the last eleven years. The most studied species phytochemically in these last few years were B. dracunculifolia, B. trimera, B. articulata, B. uncinella, B. salicifolia and B. gaudichaudiana. The compounds isolated from extracts were mainly flavonoids, diterpenoids and phenolic acids. The studies concerning essential oil show varying chemical compositions, with a higher proportion of sesquiterpenes, followed by monoterpenes. Most of these substances or extracts feature some biological properties, mainly antioxidant activity, corroborating the popular uses described for Baccharis. In addition, important activities, such as antimicrobial and antiprotozoal, indicate that Baccharis species can be a promising source of biologically active compounds for these diseases.