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.

Humanist features: The resources of Chinese materia medica are the summarization of Chinese people's experience in utilization of natural resources during their long time struggle against the nature and diseases. Therefore, the resources of Chinese materia medica not only have a material basis, but also include the experience of how to utilize them.

Changeability: Human activities, such as excessive or irrational utilization, may cause the resources to become exhausted or even extinct. On the other hand, the proper conservation may lead to the reproduction and regeneration of the medicinal plants and animals and the development and expansion of the resources.

China has vast territory and abundant resources, especially the rich resources of Chinese materia medica. The latest large-scale investigation of China's resources of Chinese materia medica has shown that China has as much as 12,807 kinds of Chinese materia medica, among which are 11,146 medicinal plants (about 87%), 1,581 medicinal animals (about 12%) and 80 minerals (less than 1%).