International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

Folk uses of wild plants for tea making are particular strongly linked to specific biodiversity and cultural knowledge. As part of Mediterranean climate, Albania and Kosovo have a reach plant diversity. This literature review, based on ethnobotanical studies in both countries, gather wild and cultivated plant species used in the form of the herbal infusions, with an attempt to document diversity of plant species and information for making herbal tea. Results obtained showed that plants listed in this study represented by around 150 taxa, grouped in 53 families. The Lamiaceae with 25 species, Asteraceae with 20 and Rosaceae with 17 species were the most represented botanical families. In Albania are used 128 plant species, while on Kosovo 75 species. Of these, around 53 plant species used in both countries, 75 species have usage only in Albania and 22 only in Kosovo. A large portion of the wild plant reports to be used as tea making in both countries. The most used plants in both countries are Origanum vulgare L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L., Achillea millefolium L., Rosa canina L. etc.

Korça region is characterised by diverse agro-ecology and it is considered as one of the richest crop genetic resource centres for food and agriculture in Albania, but not all this richness has a continuity on cultivation and usage. Many of these species are well adapted to specific regions, to various environmental stresses and have often developed their unique characteristics, good resistance to abiotic and biotic factors common diseases and pests. They have a high potential for providing food, and nutritional security to support local food system transformation and contribute to the diversity and stability of agro-ecosystems and the diversification of agriculture. As a result, some of them are endangered, and to be lost in the near future. Encourages of their cultivation can provide a promising approach towards ensuring substantial household security and the diversification of agriculture. In his paper are indicated at least 31 crop species that are neglected or underutilized in Korça region, which can be included as future smart foods, and may contribute on diversification of food and cultivated crops.