Salidroside (SAL) is a phenylpropanoid glycoside monomer extracted from Rhodiola at high altitudes. It has been proven to have protective effects on myocardial injury, liver cancer, renal fibrosis, and other organ diseases, as well as play neuroprotective roles in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Specifically, SAL can inhibit a series of pathological reactions in CNS diseases and improve neurological dysfunction. This review elucidated the pharmacological effects of SAL on inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, how SAL affects various signaling pathways to regulate pathological processes in CNS diseases is also assessed. However, the relationship between various pathways and the mechanisms in different pathological stages remains unclear. Additionally, the appropriate dosage and side effects of SAL on the clinical outcomes of CNS diseases have not been fully determined due to the limited number of clinical studies on SAL. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms and clinical applications of SAL still need to be further demonstrated. This review tracked and summarized studies from the past eight years reported in databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, filtered using the keywords "salidroside" and/or paired with "diseases" and "CNS diseases".