Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
Availability: In stock
Pot Herbs:
10.5 cm round pot (seedling pot)
Potted Stevia Cost. P 80.00 and up depending on size and variety.
Stevia Plant Uses
Stevia plant (scientific name Stevia rebaudiana), the sweetest known herb, has been used for various purposes since ages. Some of the valuable stevia plant uses include sweetening beverages, regulating blood glucose level, controlling weight, quick wound healing, and it is also used for dental care, skin care and hair care.
The genus Stevia belongs to the family Composite (or Asteraceae) and comprises about 240 plant species. Out of these, Stevia rebaudiana or simply stevia is the plant of common interest, especially due to sweet components present in the leaves and other parts. Also referred to as sweet leaf, sugarleaf or sugar plant, this herb is native to the tropical and subtropical South America. Today, stevia plants are mass cultivated all over the world.
Stevia is a perennial plant that thrives well in soils having proper drainage systems. It grows like a shrub, reaching to a height of about four feet. For mass cultivation, stevia seeds are sown after frosting is over. These stevia plantlets grow better in soil temperatures of about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the amazing facts about stevia is that it possesses natural insect repelling characteristics, especially due to the excess sugar content. Considering this, it is easy to maintain and harvest stevia plants. Let's take a brief look at the stevia plant extracts and the various stevia plant uses.
Stevia Plant Extracts
Commercially, stevia leaves are employed for obtaining extracts. In order to extract stevia, the leaves are harvested during cold climates (prior to frost), so that more sugar is accumulated in the leaves. If frosting is expected, stevia plants should be covered and protected properly by using plastic sheets. The harvested stevia leaves are sun-dried first in specific conditions with proper air circulation. Dried stevia leaves are then processed for extraction of the liquid extracts. These extracts of the stevia plant are about 300 times sweeter than that of normal table sugar.
Uses of Stevia Plant
The sweet property of stevia plant is contributed by the presence of two important components, namely, stevioside and rebaudioside (Reb A). Hence, for mass cultivation, it is important to select varieties that have high stevioside content. In addition to its sweetening property, stevia also contains vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and niacin. Stevia plant benefits have been known since a long time. Let's take a look on how to use a stevia plant.
Stevia Sweeteners
Stevia sweeteners are available commercially in the market under different brand names. As these stevia sweeteners are low in glycemic and calorie contents (nearly zero calorie), they are healthy alternatives to sugar and other artificial sweeteners. They are also used in preparation of processed foods like ice-cream, sweet drinks and other food items.
Stevia Tea Leaves
Fresh stevia leaves, in their natural state, can be directly used for making tea and coffee. However, fresh leaves are required in sufficiently larger amounts than dried stevia powder or liquid extract in order to get the desired sweet taste. Also, usage of fresh stevia leaves imparts an earthy taste to the tea or coffee.
Homemade Stevia Extract and Powder
For those people who grow stevia plants, the leaves can be used for preparation of stevia extract and stevia powder, both of which can be used in various recipes. Liquid stevia extract is prepared by adding hot water in ground stevia leaves, while stevia powder is made by grinding dried stevia leaves in a food processor.
Stevia for Diabetics
For diabetics and other people who are very concerned about the sugar intake, stevia plant is a healthy sweetening agent. In contrary to table sugar, stevia does not affect or raise the blood sugar level. Hence, diabetics can consume sweet beverages and food items like tea, coffee, cakes and cookies, that are prepared by using extracts of stevia.
Stevia for Dental Care
Though the stevia plant tastes sweet, it does not cause cavities, rather it helps in improving dental health, treating bleeding gums and other teeth problems. Hence, people who regularly use stevia-based mouthwash and toothpaste for dental care hardly have gum and teeth problems.
Stevia for Skin and Hair Care
As stevia plants are enriched with various beneficial nutrients for the skin and hair, they can be incorporated in the routine skin care and hair care practices. You can notice improvement of the skin and hair after using stevia plants or reliable stevia based products. The anti-microbial action of stevia plants also aid in reducing skin infections.
Stevia for Wound Healing
Since stevia has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, application of fresh leaves or extracts of stevia plants helps in quick healing of cuts and wounds. It is also observed that usage of stevia prevents scarring of the wounded site. However, make sure that the leaves are washed thoroughly before applying them to the cuts and wounds.
Other Uses
As the stevia plant contains zero calorie, it aids in effective weight control and management. Some of the other important stevia plant uses are promoting mental activity, increasing energy levels, and treatment of hypoglycemia, mouth sores, food poisoning and digestion problems.
The health benefits of stevia are evident from the fact that they are approved as a dietary supplement by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Medical researches also claim that stevia plants can be used for combating high blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity related health complications. With the current demand for food supplements having low carbohydrate, minimum calorie and low sugar content, the stevia plant and its extracts have proven to be the ultimate choice. However, in spite of the various stevia uses, there are some associated side effects as well.
Along with the various uses of the stevia plant, some people opine that consumption of stevia affects the male reproductive system, while others have the opinion that stevia plant contains carcinogenic compounds. On the safer side, it is advisable to consult and seek advice from a qualified physician prior to using products based on stevia plants.
By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/stevia-plant-uses.html
Stevia plant (scientific name Stevia rebaudiana), the sweetest known herb, has been used for various purposes since ages. Some of the valuable stevia plant uses include sweetening beverages, regulating blood glucose level, controlling weight, quick wound healing, and it is also used for dental care, skin care and hair care.
The genus Stevia belongs to the family Composite (or Asteraceae) and comprises about 240 plant species. Out of these, Stevia rebaudiana or simply stevia is the plant of common interest, especially due to sweet components present in the leaves and other parts. Also referred to as sweet leaf, sugarleaf or sugar plant, this herb is native to the tropical and subtropical South America. Today, stevia plants are mass cultivated all over the world.
Stevia is a perennial plant that thrives well in soils having proper drainage systems. It grows like a shrub, reaching to a height of about four feet. For mass cultivation, stevia seeds are sown after frosting is over. These stevia plantlets grow better in soil temperatures of about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the amazing facts about stevia is that it possesses natural insect repelling characteristics, especially due to the excess sugar content. Considering this, it is easy to maintain and harvest stevia plants. Let's take a brief look at the stevia plant extracts and the various stevia plant uses.
Stevia Plant Extracts
Commercially, stevia leaves are employed for obtaining extracts. In order to extract stevia, the leaves are harvested during cold climates (prior to frost), so that more sugar is accumulated in the leaves. If frosting is expected, stevia plants should be covered and protected properly by using plastic sheets. The harvested stevia leaves are sun-dried first in specific conditions with proper air circulation. Dried stevia leaves are then processed for extraction of the liquid extracts. These extracts of the stevia plant are about 300 times sweeter than that of normal table sugar.
Uses of Stevia Plant
The sweet property of stevia plant is contributed by the presence of two important components, namely, stevioside and rebaudioside (Reb A). Hence, for mass cultivation, it is important to select varieties that have high stevioside content. In addition to its sweetening property, stevia also contains vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and niacin. Stevia plant benefits have been known since a long time. Let's take a look on how to use a stevia plant.
Stevia Sweeteners
Stevia sweeteners are available commercially in the market under different brand names. As these stevia sweeteners are low in glycemic and calorie contents (nearly zero calorie), they are healthy alternatives to sugar and other artificial sweeteners. They are also used in preparation of processed foods like ice-cream, sweet drinks and other food items.
Stevia Tea Leaves
Fresh stevia leaves, in their natural state, can be directly used for making tea and coffee. However, fresh leaves are required in sufficiently larger amounts than dried stevia powder or liquid extract in order to get the desired sweet taste. Also, usage of fresh stevia leaves imparts an earthy taste to the tea or coffee.
Homemade Stevia Extract and Powder
For those people who grow stevia plants, the leaves can be used for preparation of stevia extract and stevia powder, both of which can be used in various recipes. Liquid stevia extract is prepared by adding hot water in ground stevia leaves, while stevia powder is made by grinding dried stevia leaves in a food processor.
Stevia for Diabetics
For diabetics and other people who are very concerned about the sugar intake, stevia plant is a healthy sweetening agent. In contrary to table sugar, stevia does not affect or raise the blood sugar level. Hence, diabetics can consume sweet beverages and food items like tea, coffee, cakes and cookies, that are prepared by using extracts of stevia.
Stevia for Dental Care
Though the stevia plant tastes sweet, it does not cause cavities, rather it helps in improving dental health, treating bleeding gums and other teeth problems. Hence, people who regularly use stevia-based mouthwash and toothpaste for dental care hardly have gum and teeth problems.
Stevia for Skin and Hair Care
As stevia plants are enriched with various beneficial nutrients for the skin and hair, they can be incorporated in the routine skin care and hair care practices. You can notice improvement of the skin and hair after using stevia plants or reliable stevia based products. The anti-microbial action of stevia plants also aid in reducing skin infections.
Stevia for Wound Healing
Since stevia has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, application of fresh leaves or extracts of stevia plants helps in quick healing of cuts and wounds. It is also observed that usage of stevia prevents scarring of the wounded site. However, make sure that the leaves are washed thoroughly before applying them to the cuts and wounds.
Other Uses
As the stevia plant contains zero calorie, it aids in effective weight control and management. Some of the other important stevia plant uses are promoting mental activity, increasing energy levels, and treatment of hypoglycemia, mouth sores, food poisoning and digestion problems.
The health benefits of stevia are evident from the fact that they are approved as a dietary supplement by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Medical researches also claim that stevia plants can be used for combating high blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity related health complications. With the current demand for food supplements having low carbohydrate, minimum calorie and low sugar content, the stevia plant and its extracts have proven to be the ultimate choice. However, in spite of the various stevia uses, there are some associated side effects as well.
Along with the various uses of the stevia plant, some people opine that consumption of stevia affects the male reproductive system, while others have the opinion that stevia plant contains carcinogenic compounds. On the safer side, it is advisable to consult and seek advice from a qualified physician prior to using products based on stevia plants.
By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/stevia-plant-uses.html