Stevia (also called sweetleaf, sweet leaf or sugarleaf) is a genus of about 150 species of herbs and shrubs belonging to the Asteraceae (sunflower) family, native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America (north to Mexico). The species are found in the wild in semi-arid habitats ranging from grassland to mountain terrain. Stevia does produce seeds, but only a small percentage of them germinate. Planting cloned stevia is a much more effective way of reproduction.

Uses

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For centuries, the Guarani Native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil used Stevia species, primarily S. rebaudiana which they called ka'a he'ê ("sweet herb"), as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating such conditions as obesity, high blood pressure, and heartburn. It has recently seen greater attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives, and is widely used as a sweetener in Japan, and is available in the US and Canada as a health food supplement.

In 1931, French chemists isolated the glycosides that give stevia its sweet taste. These extracts were named steviosides and rebaudiosides. These compounds are 250–300 times sweeter than sucrose (ordinary table sugar). Stevia's sweet taste has a slower onset and longer duration than sugar's, and especially at high concentration, it has bitter and liquorice-like off-tastes. Stevia does not significantly alter blood glucose, and so is attractive as a sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate controlled diets.

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#10: Organic Stevia Seeds: Organic Stevia Seeds Seeds of Change Buy new: $4.15 (Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the H http://url4.eu/zd3w
amazongift (Best Deals) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:53:57 -0000
#10: Organic Stevia Seeds: Organic Stevia Seeds Seeds of Change Buy new: $4.15 (Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the H http://url4.eu/zd3w
Stevia Extract In The Raw(TM): Mixed Berries Energy Shake | Submitted By: Stevia Extract In The Raw(TM) - http://tinyurl.com/ylfzmhc
iTastySoup (Nikki Krupa) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:04:52 -0000
Stevia Extract In The Raw(TM): Mixed Berries Energy Shake | Submitted By: Stevia Extract In The Raw(TM) - http://tinyurl.com/ylfzmhc
Zerovia International Corporation to Launch A Stevia Based ... http://bit.ly/5EIe5d
DishBusiness (Dish Network) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:57:11 -0000
Zerovia International Corporation to Launch A Stevia Based ... http://bit.ly/5EIe5d
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MyDishBusiness (DishNetwork Business) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:36:04 -0000
Zerovia International Corporation to Launch A Stevia Based ... http://bit.ly/4EvHDz
@gardenhoe does stevia have ANYTHING artificial in it? I have migraines & can't take the fake sugars.
ksspoildgrl (Amy Freaney) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:34:45 -0000
@gardenhoe does stevia have ANYTHING artificial in it? I have migraines & can't take the fake sugars.
I'm going to make mulled wine tomorrow... Old World cabernet sauvignon, orange zest, ginger, cinnamon stick, stevia... and drink it all :P
lacarmina (La Carmina) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 06:43:09 -0000
I'm going to make mulled wine tomorrow... Old World cabernet sauvignon, orange zest, ginger, cinnamon stick, stevia... and drink it all :P

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