Stevia Extract

Species Name: Stevia rebaudiana

Also Known As: Sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, stevia, Yerba Dulce, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sweet Herb, and Honey Leaf.

Stevia is a genus of over two hundred species of perennial herbs and shrubs.  Part of the sunflower family, these plants are native to the tropical and subtropical climates of western North America and South America  and is now grown commercially in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America, the United States, Israel, Thailand and China.

The plant had been used in its South American habitat for centuries as a natural substitute for sugar and was "discovered" by the Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century, when the local Guarani and Mato Grosso tribes revealed its use as a sweetener for their medicines and teas.

The plant is mild in characteristic and leafy. The leaves are the most sought after part of this plant. Although the stems have some sweetness they are not as sweet as the leaves. Both the stems and leaves are green with just a bit of fuzziness.

Used for centuries in food and drink the amount of sweetness varies from plant to plant and even from leaf to leaf.  Beating even table sugar in sweetness the stevia leaf can be up to thirty times stronger. It is said to be a safe, all-natural, low-calorie alternative to refined sugar. Stevia is also used as an herbal supplement to regulate blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure and LDLs (bad cholesterol).

What is Stevia Leaf Extract? Stevia leaf extract is generally made from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant. It comes in the form of tea, in liquid and powdered extract form and in capsules. It is also used in some food and beverages as a natural sugar substitute.

The purified extracts of stevia are sometimes called steviosides and these can be 250 to 300 times sweeter than table sugar. It is also used as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners.

While there are more than 200 species of stevia, stevia rebaudiana has the most intense sweetness and is generally the one used to make the extracts.

Today Stevia is most commonly used to sweeten foods naturally in place of aspartame, saccharine, or sugar.

Stevia comes in capsule form, in powder or liquid for sweetening or using as an extract.

Home Remedies Using Stevia Leaf Extract:

Benefits of Stevia Leaf Extract:

Historically Stevia leaf has been used for centuries as a sweetener. The leaves can be eaten fresh, or put into tea and food.

In Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil native tribes used it in a tea to treat heartburn and other ailments. It was also used to sweeten other herbal medicines.

In China Stevia was used as a weight reduction aid and in anti-aging tonics.

Stevia helps control hypertension, lowers bad cholesterol, helps treat diabetes, is effective in treating yeast infections, helps reduce gum disease, and tooth decay, helps control acne, and other skin problems, is an antibacterial agent, and is a hair and scalp treatment.

Research indicates that Stevia significantly increases glucose tolerance and inhibits glucose absorption. It’s also believed to lower blood sugar levels. Being a natural sweetener, users often report a decrease in their desire for sweets and fatty foods, which may be very helpful for dieters.

Today Stevia leaf extract is used to regulate blood sugar level and lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels.

It can also be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, upset stomach, and to reduce stomach acid and gas.

Stevia leaf extract is used in dietary ways to help to satiate a persons "sweet tooth" without actually ingesting the calories. Usage is thought to decrease the desire for fatty and sweet foods.

Stevia has antibacterial qualities which can be helpful in promoting clear and healthy skin, scalp, as well as shiny hair.

Research has shown that Stevia has a wide range of consumers that it can help by how it is used as a sweetener. It can be beneficial to those with diabetes, people who are dieting because of health reasons, and children.

Stevia Leaf can be beneficial in treating Candidiasis, as an antibacterial (or as an agent that will not feed bacteria that use sugar as fuel) is helpful with acne, lip and mouth sores, dermatitis and eczema. There are reports that cuts and scratches heal more rapidly after using Stevia.

Stevia Extract is believed to help improve cardiovascular health by lowering elevated blood pressure (hypertension) and LDLs (bad cholesterol) in the blood. It has a regulating effect on the pancreas and in stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Side Effects of Stevia Leaf Extract:

Stevia leaf has no reported side effects although it can affect blood glucose levels. Due to lack of information about this extract do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.