As one of the important active components in camellia oleifera processing residues, tea saponin has biological activities such as cell inhibition, chelation of heavy metals and regulation of fatty metabolism and immune function of human body and animal. At the same time, it has the functions of antioxidant, and surface activity. The research status of tea saponin in camellia oleifolia residues was summarized from the structural characteristics and biological activity. The application status of tea saponin in agriculture, food , medicine and environmental pollution control was comprehensively analyzed. A new idea of tea saponin application in the development of green materials was proposed, which might beanimportant development direction of high value utilization of camellia oleifera residues.