Concrete is the one of the most vital and prevalent material in the construction industry, given importance mainly for its affordability and accessibility, despite being susceptible to crack formation. Subsequently, there has been a consistently growing interest in different kinds of self-healing materials, especially green and sustainable concrete, with a number of researchers across the globe exploring numerous techniques over the last two decades. However, selecting the most efficient and effective method has its own challenges, as different research organizations utilize different protocols and procedures to evaluate the healing efficacy. Self-healing concrete is an innovative development in the construction industry that has the potential to revolutionize the way we construct and maintain infrastructure. This concrete is designed to repair itself when damage and cracks occur, without human intervention. Conventional concrete structures are susceptible to cracking and deterioration over a period, which subsequently leads to expensive repairs and potential safety hazards. Self-healing concrete or SHC possesses the ability to autonomously repair itself, thereby considerably decreasing the need for any external intervention to identify and overcome any detoriations and damage, such as cracks. This ability eventually mitigates concerns related to reinforcement corrosion and concrete degradation, ultimately reducing the maintenance expenses and enhancing durability. The importance of self-healing extends beyond just reducing maintenance costs. It can significantly extend the lifespan of structures, making them more sustainable and reducing the need for frequent replacements. This is particularly crucial for infrastructure in harsh environments or areas prone to natural disasters. Self-healing concrete also has the potential to improve safety in construction. By automatically repairing minor damage, it can prevent small cracks from developing into larger, more dangerous structural issues. In terms of environmental impact, self-healing concrete can contribute to reduced carbon emissions. The production of cement, a key component of concrete, is a major source of CO2 emissions. By extending the life of concrete structures and reducing the need for repairs and replacements, self-healing concrete can help decrease the overall demand for cement production. To further enhance the effectiveness of self-healing concrete, researchers are exploring ways to combine multiple self-healing mechanisms. This could involve using both bacteria and polymer capsules in the same mixture, creating a more robust and versatile self-healing capability. Considering the advantages offered by SHCs, this article provides a comprehensive review of the topic, examining the strategies, influencing factors, mechanisms, and effectiveness of self-healing. The literature review also includes critical summaries of the properties, performance, and assessments of the self-healing efficiency of SHC composites. Additionally, we explore the developmental trends in research aimed at fostering a deeper under standings of SHC's potential as a superior concrete alternative and a pivotal advancement in the creation of sustainable and durable concrete for contemporary construction. It is envisioned that SHC will empower builders to erect structures with reduced concerns regarding damage and extensive maintenance. This extensive review underscores that SHC represents a significant interdisciplinary research area, integrating fields such as chemistry, microbiology, civil engineering, and materials science.