29.05.2026 10:30
Abdullah Güven, who lives in the Akseki district of Antalya, sends natural oils produced from plants he collects in the Taurus Mountains to all over Turkey and Europe. While he only produced thyme oil 30 years ago, today Güven extracts oil from 31 types of plants, and aims to expand his production further with a factory he plans to establish. The price of the oils ranges from 4 to 18 lira per gram.
Plant oils collected from regions of the Taurus Mountains at altitudes between 800 and 1,800 meters, meticulously processed and produced using natural methods, are attracting great interest from citizens. The oils, which receive orders from all 81 provinces of Turkey, are shipped to different countries in Europe based on demand. Güven, who in the early years of production mainly dried and sold thyme, then began distilling thyme by boiling it in a cauldron in his home garden under very primitive conditions, has over the past 30 years added 30 more plants to thyme and established a facility. Most recently, Güven started producing fig seed oil and today extracts oil from 31 plants growing in the Taurus Mountains and ships it nationwide via cargo.
"WE PRODUCE THE MOST THYME OIL"
Stating that they produce the most thyme oil and that thyme oil receives the highest demand, Abdullah Güven mentioned that oil production is a laborious process. Güven said, "Extracting oil is quite laborious and difficult work. Plants grown in the Taurus Mountains have a distinct flavor and healing properties. We try to be useful to people. We are happy about that. Among the oils we produce, we produce the most thyme oil. Thyme oil sells more. People consume thyme oil more."
"WORLDWIDE PRAISE FOR AKSEKI THYME"
Güven, highlighting the quality of thyme grown in Akseki, stated that the region's climate and nature add a unique aroma to the plants.
Güven, noting that academicians from Akdeniz University have studied the thyme in the region for years, said, "The oil of thyme grown in our region has been analyzed. Studies have also been conducted in Germany. Among samples taken from many parts of Turkey, the best was said to be grown in Akseki. Because the climate here is very different, the aroma and quality of the plants are very good."
"OIL COMES OUT IN THE CAULDRON IN 4 HOURS"
Providing information about the production process of plant oils, Abdullah Güven stated that the processes carried out in cauldrons take hours, saying, "We sometimes put 80-100 kilograms, sometimes 300 kilograms of plants into the cauldrons. For leafy types, the amount is less. We boil the plants at 100-120 degrees. They start releasing oil after about one hour. It continues for three hours, and the oil is completely extracted in a total of 4 hours."
"EACH OIL HAS ITS OWN HEALING PROPERTY"
Güven, stating that the 31 types of oil he produces are used in different areas, said they receive positive feedback from citizens. Explaining that thyme oil is preferred for colds and viruses, Güven stated that lavender oil helps with restful sleep, and peppermint oil is good for nausea and mouth sores. Güven, noting that eucalyptus oil has breath-opening and mosquito-repelling properties, explained that juniper oil is known to be good for joint pain and shortness of breath.
Güven, stating that terebinth oil strengthens the immune system, said, "Our oils are preferred more by the public because they are natural. Citizens who buy it continuously reorder. We ship it to all parts of Turkey via cargo. We are happy to distribute healing to people."
"STARTED PRODUCING FIG SEED OIL AS WELL"
Abdullah Güven, who previously extracted oil from 30 types of plants and seeds, stated that he has recently started producing fig seed oil.
Güven, expressing that he receives positive feedback from citizens, said that families wishing to have children especially thank them.
"WE WILL EXPAND THIS BUSINESS"
Güven, stating that he and his son are constantly researching new plants, said, "We continuously research which plants in the Taurus Mountains we can extract oil from. We will expand this business. We will build a large factory. We have obtained its license. This has always been my goal and dream. I want to achieve that goal and contribute to the country's economy."