With the enhancement of people"s awareness of environmental protection, bio-based materials have developed rapidly. Bio-based epoxy resin has replaced or even surpassed the traditional commercial epoxy resin in mechanical and thermal properties, and has gradually become a substitute for petroleum products. The development of bio-based epoxy resin reduces the consumption of oil and reduces the impact on the environment, so it has become a research hotspot in recent years. This paper reviews the research progress and main achievements in the synthesis of bio-based epoxy resin based on plant phenols such as cardanol, eugenol, magnolol and vanillin at home and abroad in recent years.