Traditional Tar Production from the Anatolian Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallasiana) and Its Usage in Folk Medicine

Tar is a notable example of a plant-derived product used in folk medicine, and it is obtained from Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe, a species commonly found in the Western Anatolian Region. Mature trees with thick trunks, particularly those suitable for kindling, are preferred for tar extraction. Traditionally, tar has been used not only as a medicinal remedy but also as a means of protection against both endoparasites and ectoparasites. The aim of this study is to document the traditional methods of tar production and its various uses in Afyonkarahisar, a province located in Western Anatolia, Turkey.