Determining Individuals' Knowledge, Attitudes and Experiences Concerning Menengic Coffee and Bittim Soap

Abstract

Plant parts such as fruit, fruit oil, and resin are used as food and traditional medicine [7]. Different parts of the terebinth plant have been utilized as an antiseptic for bronchitis and as a diuretic and have ethnopharmacological uses in wounds, burns, and stomach in 8,9]. In addition to its medicinal and aromatic properties, its fruits have been utilized as an appetizer and as an ingredient of a special village bread in Southern Turkey for several thousand years [8,9]. It is also used in making coffee and soap. Products such as "menengic coffee" and "bittim soap", which have become increasingly popular in recent years, have brought great commercial importance to the species [10][11][12]. Today, the use of menengic coffee has been increasing in many countries, primarily in Turkey, because of its numerous benefits such as antiseptic properties, good for the digestive system, and good for anemia [13][14][15]. Laboratory and mouse experiments have revealed various benefits of this plant but there has been no study yet investigating its effects on human beings. Therefore this study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of individuals concerning this plant, which is mostly consumed locally as menengic coffee and bittim soap. Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of individuals about menengic coffee and bittim soap.