Effect:
Digestive, anti-fungal, wound-healing, contraceptive
Areas of application:
Diabetes, contraception, rejuvenators, oral care, in case of impending rejection of implanted organs, in case of fungal infestation, caries, bleeding gums due to periodontal disease, as a plaque remover, neurodermatitis, for achieving the ideal weight, aging skin, as hair care, for wounds
Plant parts used:
Leaves
Collection time:
August to September
To find:
Stevia cannot be found in nature. The shrub's homeland is in the lower part of South America, i.e. in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Ingredients:
Essential oil, flavonoids, glycoside stevioside, diterpenes, steroids
Other:
Stevia is used as a sweet herb in Japan because artificial sweeteners are banned there. In the EU and America, the trade in stevia was banned, although it was tried to be cultivated as a sugar substitute in England during World War II. Since we do not have complete studies on stevia, we refused to approve it as a food. So far there are only user reports. In 2011, the European Court of Justice ruled that stevia leaves could be included in tea blends and that stevia could be bought as a cosmetic product.
The shrub can grow up to 1 meter high and has white flowers with many leaves. In winter the entire upper part dies off and sprouts again in spring.
The sweet herb has no calories at all and has a significant content of vitamins and minerals. In contrast to sugar, stevia powder is 200 to 300 times sweeter.
In Paraguay, the Guarani Indians use the herb as a spice in their mate tea.