Background: Baccharis genistelloides (Lam.) Pers. "carqueja" is a species native to South America. The best-known synonyms are B. trimera and B. crispa, used mainly against diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal and liver problems. The objective of this review is to collect information on its uses in traditional medicine, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological studies. Method: 104 papers, 5 books and 11 theses were obtained from different scientific databases and search engines, referring to Baccharis genistelloides and 13 synonyms, between 1996 and 2020, mainly in English. Results: B. genistelloides is traditionally used in diabetes and obesity. More than 107 compounds have been found in its essential oil, with carquejil acetate as the main compound. 12 flavonoids, 8 clerodan diterpenes and 5 derivatives of caffeoylquinic acid have been reported. The most studied pharmacological activities are the antioxidant capacity and the antibacterial effect. Conclusions: Carquejil acetate is the phytochemical marker for B. genistelloides. Rutin, quercetin, β-pinene, α-humulene and trans-caryophyllene have pharmacological activity. It is necessary to carry out pharmacological studies to support its traditional use in diabetes and obesity.