Stevia

Stevia is an exceptional, sweet-tasting herb that has distinct health-promoting qualities. The sweetness of Stevia is a complex stevioside molecule composed of glucose and steviol. A second compound called rebaudioside, which is present in Stevia, also contributes to Stevia's sweetness. Stevia has a unique taste and has been described as very sweet with a slight licorice aftertaste, almost bitter. In general, high quality Stevia contains very little of this bitterness. The sweetness of Stevia is very different from the sweetness of other natural sweeteners, sugar or artificial sweeteners, but it is delicious. For some people, it may take some getting used to.

Stevia is a South American shrub whose leaves have been used in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their cheer and other stimulating drinks. Stevia belongs to the Compositae (sunflower plant family). Centuries ago, the natives of Paraguay used the leaves of this small, perennial, grassy shrub to sweeten their bitter drinks. Native to the South American wilderness, it could be found growing in semi-arid habitats ranging from grasslands to forest scrub to mountainous terrain. The plant made its way to Pacific Rim countries, where it was grown domestically, used in its raw leaf form and commercially processed into a sweetener.

If you've ever tasted stevia, you know that it is extremely sweet. In fact, this amazing non-caloric herb, native to Paraguay, has been used for centuries as a sweetener and flavor enhancer. Stevia is a natural, non-caloric, sweet-tasting herb used around the world for its pleasant taste, as well as its increased potential to inhibit fat absorption and lower blood pressure.

Stevia is about 300 times sweeter than sugar in its natural state and much sweeter when processed. Its medicinal uses include regulating blood sugar, preventing hypertension, treating skin disorders and preventing tooth decay. Other studies show that it is a natural antibacterial and antiviral agent. Stevia is really good for you! In addition, it is calorie and carbohydrate free. Stevia is an excellent choice of sweeteners for diabetics, those watching their weight, and anyone interested in maintaining their health.

Topically, Stevia has excellent healing abilities. If placed on a cut or scraped, it is important not to have to scrape. Whole leaf Stevia extract can be used as a face mask by letting it dry for 30-60 minutes, then rinsing off. This will help firm the skin, smooth out wrinkles and heal skin blemishes and acne. This has been reported to be effective when used on seborrhea, dermatitis and eczema as well. Stevia is also beneficial for the hair and scalp; Good results have been obtained by adding a shampoo concentrate to shampoo, letting it sit on the hair for a few minutes, then rinsing.

Stevia is also capable of a number of other beneficial activities. For example, it has been shown that Stevia can improve mood and increase energy levels and mental alertness. It has also been shown to be responsible for acid production in the mouth and is responsible for gingivitis and cavities.

In recent years, Stevia has made its way to the Far East. In the 1970s and 1980s, Stevia was developed as a sweetener/flavor enhancer, widely used in Japan, China, Korea, Israel, Brazil and Paraguay. It has been embraced in Japan, where it is used in soy sauce, sweet pickles and soft drinks. In Japan, Diet Coke has been sweetened with Stevia.

Products in which Stevia has been used include soft drinks, ice cream, cookies, pickles, chewing gum, tea and skin care products. In Japan about 40 % of the sweeteners market is based on stevia. The main producers of stevia are Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Brazil, Malaysia and Paraguay.

The cosmetic industry also employs skin care products. It has been shown to reduce skin blemishes when applied locally. Stevia also relieves stomach discomfort.

There are no deficiency symptoms, but everyone can benefit from the use of Stevia. Populations that may benefit from its use include: diabetics, obese, elderly, children, and athletes.

Diabetics, patients with blood sugar issues, or the obese may benefit from blood sugar supplementation.

People suffering from hypertension may also benefit from the use of Stevia. It has been shown that in case of hypertension Stevia has the ability to act as a vasodiolator, thus helping to reduce hypertension.

At the end of the 80's an "anonymous company" presented a "commercial complaint" to the FDA about Stevia when it started to emerge in the United States. One company using Stevia was the herbal tea company Heavenly Condiments. The FDA was ordered to stop producing tea "adulterated" with Stevia. Traditional Medicines, another tea company, seized their inventory of Stevia tea during an unexpected FDA raid and was told the tea would be burned.

Why did the government treat Stevia as a controlled substance? The FDA documents define that Stevia has "dangerous food additives" even though Stevia's safety has been extensively tested for many years by scientists in Japan. The FDA will not disclose who filed the "trade complaint" (despite the Freedom of Information Act) although many suspect that it was the makers of the artificial sweetener Aspartame (also known as "Nutrasweet") who tried to fend off the competition because the artificial sweetener is so profitable.

In the United States, one might assume it was some kind of dangerous narcotic. But, in fact, it has been used, but it has been used by millions of people around the world, in some places for hundreds of years.

Adamant was left with the FDA on the subject, that although it can be legally marketed as a dietary supplement under legislation enacted in 1994, any mention of its use as a sweetener or tea is still strictly prohibited.

In 1995, the FDA decided to ban Stevia, but only halfway. Stevia can be a "dietary supplement" but not a sweetener in the United States. This is also the case in the European Union and the World Health Organization is following other countries to follow suit.

Benefits
- non-caloric sweetener
- inhibits fat absorption and lowers blood pressure
- regulates blood sugar levels