The Changtang Plateau is the highest spot in the world, featuring a highly frigid climate and a scarcity of oxygen. The plants and animals that are able to survive there boast a high adaptability to their harsh environment. The Four-Volume Medical Code notes that everything in the world can be used as medicine, which holds especially true in this part of the world. Here, there are animals, plants and minerals that can all be adopted as medicinal materials. Major ones include the following

1.Rhodiola. Growing in the rocky places of snow-covered mountains, Rhodiola is of a cold nature and can be used to treat acute betrite diseases. It therefore has a curative effect on those who suffer from TB, spitting blood, poisoning and a scarcity of oxygen.

2.Chinese caterpillar fungus. This grows in alpine grasslands with an elevation of 3,000-4,000 meters. It is good for the lungs and brain, and can be used to stop bleeding and reduce phlegm.

3.Snowy mountain bulb of fritillary. Indigenous to alpine grasslands, this bulb is good for the lungs and can be used to stop coughing, reduce phlegm and relieve internal heat.

In Tibetan medicine, minerals are also used as raw materials. They include gold, silver, brown copper, iron, amber, lead, and some kinds of stone. All of these are widely distributed in Nagqu.

Animal parts are used as raw materials for Tibetan medicine as well. An example is the deer from east Tibet. Its blood can be used to stop excessive bleeding during menstruation, and its grease can be used to treat scabies and soothe itching. Pilose antler can be used to enrich declining kidneys and replenish the supply of semen. The antlers can also be used to treat pustule and kidney dropsy. The droppings can be used to strengthen the kidneys and fortify male sexual ability. Musk deer is also precious medicinal raw material, the musk used for aromatic purposes and its flesh as tonic food. Argali horn can be used to treat contagious plagues, clean lungs, and relieve internal heat. Rock sheep horn can be used to treat various diseases related to heat, and clean pus inside the body. Rock sheep hair can be used to relieve internal heat. Tibetan antelope horns can be used to treat wounds abnormal menstruation, and bleeding wombs, and can help with difficult labor, dead fetuses, and abdominal pain. Its blood can be used to stop diarrhea and treat sterilization. Wild yak is even more precious in terms of medicinal effect. It horn can be used to treat tumors, and its bones can be used to build up male sexual ability. Its marrow can be used to treat scabies, its heart can be used to treat mental disorders, angina pectoris and illnesses related to excessive weakness, its tongue can be used to treat gall tumors, its blood can be used to treat diarrhea, and its testicles can be used to build up male sexual ability. In addition, leopard bones, bear paws and monkey bones are all precious for medicinal materials and tonic foods.