Stevia.

Stevia rabaudiana.

STEVIA
HERBAL SWEETENER

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Stevia
Species: rebaudiana
Common names: Sweet Leaf
Ethnic names: Ca-A-E, Cahee.
Parts Used: Leaves. Used as a tea.

Properties/Actions, uses: Natural herbal sweetener; Hypoglycemic, antifungal, hypotensive. Sweetening agent, Satisfies sweet cravings, Adjunct for diabetes and hypertension treatment, high blood pressure, infections.

REFERENCED QUOTES ON STEVIA:

Stevia is a well know sweetener in Brazil and Paraquay. Taditionally used by the Guarani Indians as a sweetening agent.
Stevia has become recognized internationally for its incredible sweetening power that can satisfy sugar cravings. Due to its' low calorie content Stevia has been extremely helpful in weight loss programs. It is supportive to the pancreas and has been used in treatment of diabetes, hypertension and infections.
The dried leaf of Stevia contains Stevisoid, a natural sweetener, which is 300 times as sweet as sugar, yet is not absorbed by the body and contains practically no calories. Despite Stevia's sweetness, it does not produce tooth cavities. This may be due to its high fluoride or other high mineral content.. They also speak of the wonders of Stevia to treat diabetes, hypertension, and infections.
It has been frequently reported that Stevia exhibits a hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar) action. In one double blind study of 25 hospitalized patients, mean blood sugar dropped 35.2% six to eight hours after ingestion of Stevia. Other research reports suggest that it has hypotensive (lowers blood pressure) activity. One study found that a single oral dose of aqueous extract resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 9.5 %. Another study found that the use of Stevia for 30 days resulted in a decrease of both systolic and diastolic pressures. Stevia may also be effective against Candida albicans (yeast infection).
The plant was first studied scientifically in 1899 by Paraguayan botanist Moises S. Bertoni, who recognized the plants incredible sweetening power. He suggested that Stevisoid might make a perfect substitute for saccarhine, as a completely non-toxic sweetening agent.
In Rio de Janeiro studies on Stevia are continuing and it is considered to be the sweetener of the future. Stevia is grown in the interior of Sao Paulo. In the city of Birigui the plant is so popular that the tea made from it is sold at almost all bars and restaurants. Milkshakes, juices and coffee are sweetened with Stevia. The inhabitants in this little town speak of the wonders of Stevia.
Stevia is a small bush which grows wild near Brazil's southern border, on the frontier with Paraguay. Chewing a few leaves of Stevia will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth, and the shredded leaves are an excellent substitute for sugar in cooking.

Phytochemicals Include: Aluminum, Ascorbic-acid, Ash, Austroinulin, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Dulcosides, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Protein, Rebaudiosides, Riboflavin, Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Steviol, Stevioside, Thiamin, Tin, Zinc.