PLANTS THAT GROW NATURALLY IN ALBANIA, THEIR USES AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

Albania has a rich tradition in the use of wild plants, like medicinal herbs and culinary. The Mediterranean region is home to a wide variety of such plants, and their use is widespread. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the plants that grow naturally in our country and their geographical distribution. We observed that these plants are distributed throughout the country, with higher prevalence in the northern region, followed by the southern areas of Albania, and less in the central part. Another aspect of the study was to identify the functional uses of these plants, where their medicinal properties are predominant. For example, mountain tea (Sideritis spp.) is primarily used in the form of aqueous extracts due to its positive effects on immunity. Additionally, Oregano (Thymus vulgaris) is mainly used in culinary. Further suggestions include analyzing the chemical composition of these plants and their potential for export.