Stevia, Stevia rebaudiana Stevia is a small perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. Stevia plants grow 1-4 feet in height and have slender, branched stems. Originally stevia came from Paraguay where the Guarani Indians used its leaves to sweeten drinks and food. Nature's sweetest herb, Stevia is not only a sweet treat for leaf-eaters, it is a medicinal plant with beneficial actions! Stevia's greatest contribution to health is in its sweetness... unlike sugar, which gets broken down in the bloodstream and causes insulin to spike, Stevia contains stevioside, a non-carbohydrate glycoside compound that is absorbed by the bacteria in the gut. Thus, Stevia indirectly helps manage diabetes and regulate blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure by acting as a sweetener that does not cause stress on the body. Ironically, Stevia is also rich in nutrients and compounds that actually promote oral health, strengthen bones and even aid cancer prevention.
