Mountain Tea – Albania’s Secret Treasure

Albanians rarely resort to medication, and only do so when other natural remedies have failed. The older generation is well-versed in the use of natural medicine and, importantly, eagerly introduces the younger generation to its secrets. Bay leaf infusion for coughs, pomegranate root for the digestive system and parasites, and lemon for high blood pressure are just a few of the many tips I learned from Albanians.

I admit that at first, I wasn’t keen on drinking infusions and using herbs. I was accustomed to believing that only pharmacy medicines could help with every ailment.

After several years of living in Albania, however, I became convinced by natural medicine. What’s more, by using it myself, I often quickly got rid of the symptoms of several illnesses.

Discovering mountain tea was a matter of chance. One day, while sitting in a restaurant, a waiter recommended it to me because the black tea I had ordered had just run out. At that time, I wasn’t yet aware of how popular this mountain tea truly is.

I immediately liked its taste. It has a floral aroma that creates a pleasant bouquet. Since then, I only drink mountain tea, or çaj mali in Albanian. Regular tea now seems too strong for me. I drink it with honey in winter, and in summer, with chilled lemon.

It is used extensively in Albanian families. Often, instead of brewing it in a cup, a pot of water with a whole bunch of mountain tea is used.

In Poland, this tea can be found under the name ‘gnojnik’ or as Turkish, Greek, or Macedonian tea. It’s rarely mentioned that it grows mainly on the wild hills of Albania, where it thrives in abundance.

This plant is wild and has adapted to thrive with minimal water and soil. It grows mainly at altitudes over 1000m above sea level, predominantly on mountain slopes with poor soil.

You can buy it at stalls in local markets. I think it’s worth buying during your vacation and taking back to Poland. For example, when driving through the Llogara Pass, you’ll pass many small stalls adorned with ‘gnojnik’. You can also buy local honey and royal jelly there.

‘Gnojnik’ has numerous properties that positively impact our body.

It can be drunk daily, as one of its benefits is a positive effect on the body’s immunity. It also adds energy and vitality, positively impacts fatigue, and improves mood.

It tastes excellent and can easily replace the black tea you’ve been drinking. When consumed regularly, it effectively prevents anemia and regulates blood pressure. It also helps with coughs, soothes urinary tract infections, and aids with urinary tract issues and gastrointestinal disorders.

Nowadays, there is much evidence that this tea also helps with osteoporosis, and one of its properties is cancer prevention.

One of the more interesting facts is that ‘gnojnik’ also helps in removing protein deposits in the brain and has a positive effect on Alzheimer’s disease. This was tested in patients who consumed mountain tea infusion every day for six months, and a significant regression of the disease was observed.

Throughout Albania, you can order mountain tea in most restaurants and pubs. So, when ordering, look for ‘Çaj Mali’ (pronounced ‘chai mali’ in Polish) on the menu. Also, buy a supply of it to take back to Poland.