'Zàngyào' (Tibetan medicine) refers to the traditional medical system developed over centuries in Tibet, deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy and local ecological knowledge. The character '藏' (Zàng) specifically denotes Tibet — not the verb 'to hide' (cáng) — while '药' (yào) means 'medicine' or 'medicinal substance'. Together, they form a compound noun meaning 'Tibetan medicinal practices and remedies', including herbal formulas, mineral preparations, dietary guidelines, and therapeutic rituals.

This term is commonly used in contexts of traditional healthcare, cultural preservation, and integrative medicine. Zàngyào is recognized by China’s State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and often discussed alongside Zhōngyào (Chinese herbal medicine), though it differs in theory, diagnostic methods, and materia medica — for example, relying heavily on high-altitude herbs like saffron, snow lotus, and yak bile. It's widely practiced in Tibetan autonomous regions and increasingly studied globally for its holistic approach.