Abstract: There are a wide range of sources of Chinese medicinal materials， and some of them have a shaping function in pharmaceutics while exerting pharmacological effects， which is called “unification of medicines and excipient”. We consulted the domestic and foreign literatures in recent years and summarized several hydrogels derived from traditional Chinese medicine with this function. Finally， we trace their research progress and hope to provide the basement for the research and development of pharmaceutics in traditional Chinese medicine in future.