Mountain Tea (Syderitis raereri) is a wild species that grows on the Cika Mountain and in a few other places above 1200m. Syderitis raereri was introduced into the Albanian Red Book in 1995 according to IUCN Category E risk assessment criteria, with distribution in Llogora National Park, Qorri Mountain and Cika Mountain. While in 2013 this species has been introduced to the Red List of Wild Plants with the status of “Highly Endangered Species (EN, AlC)”

People have known it in ancient times and according to legends mountain tea has long been used for its rare curative and health values.

Mountain tea strengthens the immune system and bones, aids digestion, treats common cold, flu and other viruses, sinusitis congestion, allergies and asthma, as well as mild pain and anxiety.

The values of the Cika Mountain Tea today are recognized by almost all the world, not just the locals who use it regularly. These rare abilities of this species have made it highly sought after, putting this plant at risk of extinction. The domestic and foreign markets have a growing demand for Mountain Tea.

Mountain Tea is also endangered by climate change which is highly influential on the Cika Mountain that rises above the Ionian Sea and is touched on its Southwest side by the Mediterranean winds, while on the North-East side by continental winds.

But even residents of the area are endangering the population of this species from ignorance and lack of sufficient information about the danger of extinction, gathering it by plucking not cutting.