From infections to insomnia – Havushe Bunjaku on which plants “99 Lule” uses and what they are for

Medicinal and aromatic plants, the way they are cultivated and how they are used were part of the conversation with Havushe Bunjaku, founder of “99 Lule,” in the seventh episode of the “Rrugëtimi” podcast.

Bunjaku said that in the areas where they operate they collect dozens of types of plants that grow spontaneously in nature, while a number of others are cultivated.

“We have some forty-seven types that we collect only wild in that area, then we have several other types that we cultivate mainly in different villages,” Bunjaku said.

According to her, “99 Lule” also has more than 15 cultivated types, while the seedlings and seeds for some of them were brought from different countries.

Speaking about medicinal and aromatic plants in general, Bunjaku said they are used in several sectors.

“They can be used to prevent some disease, to not get to diseases at all. For aroma, for beauty, meaning for both inner health and outer beauty,” she said.

She mentioned their use in food and beverages, pharmacy and beauty products.

“They are used in the food and beverage sector, as spices and teas, in the pharmacy sector which have health effects, and in the beauty sector, where if these plants are processed, very good and very valuable products are created,” Bunjaku said.

Among the plants she mentioned during the interview was mountain tea. Another plant she spoke about was yarrow (Achillea), which according to her is also known as “bar pezmi.”

“We have yarrow, otherwise known as bar pezmi. It is a natural antibiotic, it is very good. Besides the tea, we also have yarrow oil,” Bunjaku declared.

Asked specifically about its use, Bunjaku said:

“Now yarrow is used as a natural antibiotic for every infection in the organism, starting from tonsil and throat problems to stomach, ovary and kidney problems, meaning everything that involves infection, as well as skin infections,” she said.

Bunjaku also singled out calendula, which she said “99 Lule” uses in several products.

“Now we have calendula, which I perhaps want to single out a bit, because as tea and oil, we also have it as the main base for creams,” she said.

The list of plants cultivated or used by the company also includes different types of mint.

“Then we have the types of mint. There is also wild mint, but there is also a mint that we cultivate, it is peppermint,” Bunjaku said.

She also spoke about lemon balm, which in the interview she also identified as “bee herb.”

“We have lemon balm, known as lemon balm, otherwise as bee herb, it is a calming tea. Students who have problems with insomnia also use it,” she said.

Although during the conversation she spoke about the uses and effects she attributes to various plants, Bunjaku also called for caution in how they are presented to consumers.

“I call on everyone who produces teas, who deal with this sector and who also call themselves folk doctors, it is good to tell the consumer that plants are known to work miracles, but don’t expect too many miracles perhaps,” she said.

According to her, big expectations can also bring big disappointments.

She also stressed the importance of basing information on professional sources and not only on information heard or found on the internet. /Telegrafi/