ma·te·ri·a med·i·ca 
(mə-tîrē-ə mĕdĭ-kə)
(mə-tîrē-ə mĕdĭ-kə)n.
1. (used with a sing. verb) The scientific study of medicinal drugs and their sources, preparation, and use.
2. (used with a pl. verb) Substances used in the preparation of medicinal drugs.
[New Latin māteria medica (translation of Greek hulē iātrikē) : Latin māteria, material + Latin medica, feminine of medicus, medical.]