Stevia Cultivation

Stevia ... A bit of history.

The herb, Stevia rebaudiana, has been used for centuries by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay, who had several names for the herb, including several he Kaa'-E-Caa' EHE, or CA-A - yupe all. referring to the leaf or leaf sweet honey. It is well known in South America yerba dulce meaning sweet herb. The Guarani used stevia nutritionally and medicinally.

The grass came to the attention of the rest of the world when the South American naturalist, Dr. Moises S. Bertoni, "discovered" the grass in the late 1800s. After his report. Stevia has been widely used by herbalists in Paraguay. Stevia main characteristic is its sweet taste, but the sweetness is not due to carbohydrate-based molecules, but to several non-caloric molecules called glycosides. People who do not tolerate sugar or other sweeteners can use stevia. The first glycoside molecule isolated from stevia in 1931 by two French chemists named Bridel and Lavielle and called stevioside.

During World War II, sugar shortages prompted England to begin the investigation of stevia for use as a sweetener. The culture was started under the direction of Kew Gardens, but the project was abandoned after the war. Japan began cultivating stevia in greenhouses in the 1950s. In the 1970s, Japan started using stevia commercially and today they are the biggest users of the extract, which has captured 50% of the sweetener industry Japan.

Other aspects of stevia are capturing people's attention. Stevia is sold in some countries of South America to help diabetics and hypoglycemics. Research has shown that a whole leaf concentrate has a regulating effect on the pancreas (insulin) and helps stabilize blood sugar. Stevia is therefore useful for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia, and candidiasis.

Other traditional uses of stevia are: lowers elevated blood pressure (hypertension), hyperactivity, digestive aid that also reduces gas and stomach acidity and obesity. Stevia acts as general tonic which increases energy levels and mental acuity.

Stevia has been shown to inhibit growth and reproduction of bacteria (antibacterial) that cause gum disease and tooth decay, making it an excellent addition to toothpaste and mouthwash for dental hygiene. Many people have reported an improvement in their oral health after adding stevia concentrate their toothpaste and use, diluted in water as a mouthwash daily.

Stevia is useful in curing a number of skin problems. Whole stevia concentrates may be applied as a facial mask to soften and tone the skin and smooth cut wrinkles. Smooth the dark liquid all over her face, let dry for at least 30-60 minutes. A drop of concentrate can be directly applied to any default, the appearance of acne, lip or mouth sore. Stevia concentrate is also effective when used on seborrhea, dermatitis and eczema. Reportedly, cuts and scratches heal more rapidly when stevia concentrate is applied.

Stevia concentrate added to soap eliminates the problems of the scalp and other films and improves the health and luster of hair, also helps preserve the natural color of hair.

consumption of refined sugar continues to rise in the United States. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (November 1998), sugar consumption has increased 25 pounds since 1986 to 152 pounds per person per year (calculated using figures from sugar production). Sugar displaces nutritive calories, leading to many health problems. obesity. A major factor contributing to this high rate is the broad and constantly growing habit of drinking sugar-free beverages in soda ladened in particular.