The resources of Chinese materia medica refer to the total reserves of the plant, animal and mineral resources that can be used as materia medica (including those used by minority nationalities and by folk healers). They have the following characteristics:

Regional features: There is inseparable relationship between the resources of Chinese materia medica and the natural environment in which they are distributed. The variety of Chinese materia medica and their quantity and quality are controlled by the natural conditions of the region.