Nyemo Tibetan Incense

Nyemo Tibetan Incense

Nyemo Tibetan Incense is a geographical indication protected product.

Nyemo Tibetan Incense is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Nyemo Tibetan Incense refers to the incense produced in Nyemo County, Tibet Autonomous Region. With a long history of production, it is favored by the public for its cruelty-free manufacturing process and unique ingredient formula, making it one of the most renowned sources of Tibetan incense in all of Tibet. Nyemo Tibetan Incense can be used not only in religious activities but also has unique medicinal effects such as killing bacteria, dispelling foul odors, preventing colds and other epidemic diseases, and improving sleep, offering numerous benefits to the human body without any harm. Its production technique is listed as part of the second batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage.

　　　The incense is made from over thirty types of uniquely Tibetan herbs from the pollution-free Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It can be used not only in religious ceremonies but also has unique medicinal effects such as killing bacteria, dispelling foul odors, preventing colds and other epidemic diseases, and improving sleep, offering numerous benefits to the human body without any harm. As a branch of Tibetan medicine, the distinctive therapeutic benefits of Nyemo Tibetan Incense have long been well-known and deeply appreciated by the Tibetan people. It is a cultural marvel deeply rooted in Tibetan heritage, flourishing proudly on the snowy plateau.

　　　Tongba Township in Nyemo County is the hometown of Thonmi Sambhota, the creator of the Tibetan script. This township is known for its Tibetan incense production techniques. Figure 3: Steps in the production of Nyemo Tibetan Incense: Making mud bricks

　　[3] was taught by Thonmi Sambhota in the 7th century AD. Nyemo Incense is hailed as the premier sacred incense of Tibet. Its formula is a closely guarded secret, reportedly made from over 30 types of Tibetan herbs, and its production process is lengthy and meticulous. Tongba Village, as the birthplace of Thonmi Sambhota, is also the handmade production site of Nyemo Sacred Incense. The villagers here have received authentic teachings from Thonmi Sambhota and exercise extreme precision in every step of making the incense.

　　The raw materials and production processes for making Tibetan incense are extremely stringent. Since the primary use of Tibetan incense is in religious rituals, everything in the production process must prioritize sanctity—otherwise, it is considered disrespectful to the deities. Traditional Tibetan incense uses a wide and complex array of ingredients, generally with Himalayan cedarwood as the main component, combined with dozens of aromatic substances such as saffron, musk, white sandalwood, red sandalwood, rosewood, agarwood, cardamom, pangolin scales, costus root, borneol, and myrrh in precise proportions. It is understood that the main ingredient, Himalayan cedarwood, does not grow in Tongba Village, which sits at high altitude, so villagers must transport it from Medog County, over 400 kilometers away. Some auxiliary materials even need to be imported from India.

　　　After inventing the Tibetan script, Thonmi Sambhota adapted the incense-making techniques he learned in India to the geographical conditions of Tibet, thus creating Tibetan incense. One day, while by the Tongqu River, Thonmi Sambhota noticed that the paddle wheels of watermills were harming fish in the water. Moved with compassion, he erected a stone tablet by the river inscribed with the words: “Fish are not permitted to enter.” Since then, no fish have been seen in the Tongqu River. Locals say the water has been tested with no abnormalities found, yet no one knows why there are no fish. [6] Intangible Cultural Heritage Information: As the main and original production area of Tibetan incense, Nyemo County’s production technique has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list for protection. The specific details are as follows:

　　Heritage Level: Second Batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage

　　Approval Number: 924

　　Heritage Code: Ⅷ-141

　　Project Name: Tibetan Incense Production Technique

　　Applicant: Nyemo County and Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region

　　Approval Document No.: Guo Fa [2008] No. 19

　　Approval Date: June 7, 2008.