An interview with Lilijan Sulejmanovic

Growing up in Bosnia, Lilijan’s community (like so many others in Southern Europe) had always appreciated the power of plant-based healing. Pharmaceuticals were a last-resort, and herbal medicines and remedies were always the first port of call.

Lilijan describes herself as an ‘urban herbalist’. Her brand, Bardo, might on its face look like just another healthy snack brand, but her products do much more than just fill a hunger hole - the snacks are really intended to be a vehicle for introducing powerful superfood ingredients into her customers’ daily diets.

The process of crafting each Bardo product starts with the plants that Lilijan has grown up with and their traditional uses, and is followed by a rigorous process of scientific research and validation to really nail down which components of each plant are responsible for certain beneficial effects on the mind and body.

Lilijan’s absolute favourite ingredients are lemon balm and juniper.

Lemon balm has exceptionally powerful anti-anxiety effects, and juniper contains turpenes which increase focus and have a long use in aromatherapy together with other pine-based ingredients.

The tricky part, Lilijan explains, is balancing the microdoses of these powerful botanicals with ingredients that compliment, balance and support them. Juniper for example can have quite bitter notes, so Bardo’s constant obsession is perfecting the flavour profiles within their range to deliver a ‘good mood food’ product that not only supports wellbeing, but also tastes amazing.

If you want to try out Bardo, check out our membership page for an exclusive discount code.