12.09.2025 15:42
In the Ovacık district of Tunceli, villagers collect the spiny artichoke plant from the fields, and the white liquid that comes from its root is dried and cleaned before being offered for sale. The gum made from this white liquid is sold for 5,000 Turkish lira per kilogram. It is beneficial for many diseases, including liver and bile duct inflammations, cirrhosis, mumps, vitiligo, diarrhea, and bronchitis.
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Residents of Koyungölü, Çakmaklı, and Paşadüzü villages in the Ovacık district of Tunceli have been producing gum from the white liquid in the root of the wild artichoke for years using natural methods. Villagers go out to the fields at certain times of the day, first digging a hole in the root part of the dried wild artichokes with a hoe. Then, cutting the stem part of the plant with a knife, they allow the white essence in liquid form to seep into the soil, drying in the sun and turning into gum.
A CHALLENGING PROCESS OF HARVESTING AND CLEANING
After a one-day waiting period, villagers collect the gum and work to clean the products they bring home from stones and grass pieces. The gums, which are pounded with a stone under cold water and soaked in hot water, are prepared for sale after being cleaned of dirt. Women in the village known for wild artichoke gum production send the product to customers who reach them through their surroundings and relatives. Emine Sarıgül, who lives in Çakmaklı village, stated that wild artichoke gum production is generally done in July.
Sarıgül expressed that she started the gum work late due to the hot weather, saying, "I go to the field early in the morning and dig the root of the wild artichoke. After the milk flows out, I go back the next day to collect the gum from the root of that wild artichoke. After bringing it home and collecting a bit, I wash the gums this time and pound them with a stone and soak them in boiling water," she said.
50 LIRA PER PIECE, 5 THOUSAND LIRA PER KILOGRAM
Sarıgül explained that she cleans the gums with hours of work and prepares them for sale.
Stating that there is a high demand for wild artichoke gum, Sarıgül said, "I sell each piece for 50 lira and a kilogram for 5 thousand lira. Working in front of the sun is very difficult, and sometimes I experience tough moments. The hoe used to extract wild artichoke gum is quite tiring. Especially those with health problems and cancer patients call us and place orders. Wild artichoke gum is very healthy," she expressed.
Gülten Sarıgül also noted that many people in Ovacık earn income by selling wild artichoke gum and that her family is also involved in this work.
STARTED AFTER MARRIAGE, BECAME A SOURCE OF INCOME
Sarıgül, who said she learned to produce wild artichoke gum after getting married, stated, "I sold the gums I produced and earned money to meet my children's needs. Going out into nature is very beautiful. Especially we women sometimes get bored with housework. I also take this opportunity to throw myself into the mountains and relieve stress by producing wild artichoke gum," she said.
A CURE FOR MANY DISEASES
Associate Professor Dr. Sevinç Aydın from Munzur University Tunceli Vocational School of Medical Services and Techniques stated that wild artichoke is widespread in different regions of Turkey.
Pointing out that wild artichoke is an important food source and that she has conducted research on its seeds, Sevinç noted the following:
"It is known that the plant is good for cramps, indigestion, and migraines. Additionally, it has been reported in scientific publications that it is effective in liver, bile duct inflammations, cirrhosis, mumps, vitiligo, diarrhea, bronchitis, and chronic liver diseases. It has also been stated that especially the stems have liver-protective and blood-cleansing properties, and that the plant has hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, it is also noted to be quite beneficial for diabetes, pain relief, cramp relief, indigestion, strengthening nerves, and migraines."
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