Stevia Leaf
Botanical Name: Stevia rebaudiana Also known as: Sweet Leaf, Yerba Dulce, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sweet Herb, and Honey Leaf.
Stevia leaves are one of the sweetest substances known in nature, with a sweetness rating of up to 300 times the sweetening power of sugar. They have been called a "super-sweetener", and are the source of stevioside, a widely available tabletop sweetener in many Asian countries. With no calories and very little bitter aftertaste, stevia is an excellent alternative sweetener to sugar for teas and other recipes that call for sugar. PLEASE NOTE: Most commercial Stevia which is a white crystalline color is actually the dried powdered extract of Stevia and is not the whole leaf. The material offered by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is whole leaf material.
History
Stevia is one of a family of plants that are native to South America and have been used for centuries to sweeten drinks and foods. Stevia leaves are said to be from 30 to 300 times sweeter than sugar * though the amount of sweetness varies from leaf to leaf and plant to plant. It is touted as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. To date, chemical analysis and studies show that the leaf adds no calories, has no harmful side effects and is more palatable with less aftertaste than any artificial, chemical sweetener to date. Stevia has been in wide use in South America for centuries, and in Japan since the government banned the use of artificial sweeteners. To date, no harmful side effects have come to light, making stevia one of the most promising sugar alternatives available. Stevoside, made from stevia, is approved as a food additive in Korea, and is widely available throughout China, Taiwan and Malaysia. In China, tea made from stevia leaves are touted as anti-aging and weight reduction aids. In the US, stevia is awaiting GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status from the FDA.
The ideal diet would not be ideal if it wasn’t a little “Sweet” at times. After reading avout all the dangers of artificial sweeteners and sugar, you must be wondering what it is that you can safely recommend to my clients as alternative.
Stevia (STEE-vee-uh) is a shrub native to Paraguay, which has been used for over 500 years by the naïve Guarani Indians to sweeten their Yerba Mate and other stimulant beverages.
It is a a healing herb with an abundance of positive effects. The whole leaf contains numerous phytonutrients and trace minerals, without carbohydrates, or contributing to tooth decay.
Stevia also nourishes the pancreas and does not raise blood glucose levels making it not just safe diabetic but actually beneficial.
Excellent for weight loss, with no negative side effects reported with the use of artificial sweeteners. It minimizes hunger sensations, cravings for sweets or fatty foods.
Aid in digestion.
Decrease hypertension without effecting normal blood pressure, stabilize blood glucose levels.
Shorten recovery time form cold and flu.
Aid in addictions to tobacco and alcohol.
When used in toothpaste or mouthwash, cavities and disease are reduced due to its antibacterial properties.
diterpene glycosides, steviol, dulcoside, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside A, isosteviol, stevioside, jhanol, flavonoid glycosides, quercetin,
Leaves
As a tea, in food and beverages as a sweetener and sometimes in capsule or extract form.
Contraindications:
Stevia has no reported side effects. Currently the FDA prohibits the use of Stevia as a swetener in food products and beverages (we have no idea why)
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Disclaimer: The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.