Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Stevia

(Botanical name: - Stevia rebaudiana)

Classification

• Kingdom : Plantae
• Unranked: Angiosperms
• Unranked: Eudicots
• Unranked : Asterids
• Order : Asterales
• Family : Asteraceae
• Tribe: Eupatorieae
• Genus :Stevia

Stevia has been extensively used now days due to its sweet taste and usefulness in diabetes.

History

Stevia is perennial herb and in a genus of about 250 herbs, basically from the family of sunflower.

This herb is commonly known as sweet leaf or simply stevia.

It is considered as a good substitute of sugar. Diabetic patients can take herbal powder of stevia available in market as it lowers down the sugar level, giving the sweet taste of sugar.

Due to its sweetness, the demand of this herb has been increased in these days.

Plant Description

Stevia is a native to tropical and subtropical South America and Central America.

It is perennial shrub which grows up to 2 m high and leaves are 2-3 cm long. Small white flowers appear after 50- 100 days of transplantation.

It generally survives in warm weather but treated as annual in cold region.

Stevia is grown commercially as well as in gardens and kitchens.

Cultivation

Stevia is now cultivated in most parts of the world. Being a sugar substitute and seeing the percentage of diabetes patients in the world, this herb has gained popularity widely.

It is commercially cultivated in many parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America, Israel, Thailand and India and china.

Stevia prefers moist, sandy and loamy soil with high organic matter and tolerates a wide range of soil ph. It also prefers partial shade with considerate summer sunshine.

Leaves of stevia are dehydrated in sunshine or heaters and if eaten fresh give bitter taste. Dry leaves are further powdered to be used as a sweetener.

Leaves are preferably collected in autumn.

Parts Used

Leaves

Constituents

A substance called rebiana which is a trade name for zero-calorie sweetener containing mainly steviol glycoside is extracted from stevia.

Stevia is also rich in flavonoids and terpenes. Other constituents are stevioside which is considered sweetest in stevia, steviolbioside, rebausiosides A-E, dulcoside ; chemicals like caffeic acid, campesterol, chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll, diterpene glycosides, dulcosides A-B, formic acid.

Culinary uses

• Stevia leaves are sweet and can be used instead of sugar as 1 teaspoon of sugar or less equals to 1 cup of sugar. Being an alternative of sugar, it doesn't harm and can be use in tea and couple of things but not in every dish.
• Some quantity of stevia is added to ice cream and beverage to lower the sugar level and to give a natural taste.

Medicinal uses

Stevia is a natural sweetener and extensively used

• To treat diabetes.
• For high blood pressure.
• For Cavity prevention.
• Helps in weight loss.

Stevia is recorded to have some beneficial properties such as anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti viral, a good tonic and wound healer.

It also helps in treating heart burning and other medical ailments.

Other names

• China-Tian ju.
• South Africa-Heuningblaar.
• English-Candy leaf, sweet leaf.
• German-Honigkraut.
• India-Madhu parani(Marathi) , Gurmaar (Punjabi), Madhu patra (Sanskrit).
• Japan-Amaha sutebia.
• Thailand-Satiwia.