STEVIA
The Natural
Sugar Substitute

STEVIA is an herb or shrub native to South and Central America and used as a natural sweetener for centuries by those peoples. It is only in the 1900's that it began proliferating Europe and elsewhere, particularly in Japan where it has benn used extensively since the 1970's. China and Southeast Asia began using it in the 1980's and the US and Canada(on a limited basis) since the 1990's. Pressure from the sugar companies on the FDA have limited stevia's distribution and use in America but these restrictions are slowly being removed as the plant's benefits come to light and public demand increases.

There are some 150 species of stevia many having as much as 300 times the sweetness of manufactured sugar and without any of the side effects. In fact stevia has shown to have many positive benefits, such as controlling obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It can also be used as a toothpaste or mouthwash and skin cleanser. It is seen by many as the sugar or sweetner of the future much to the dismay of the conventional white sugar manufacturers.

Stevia is currently available in most natural health food stores in liquid or powdered form. You can grow the plant yourself by obtaining seeds or a small plant and planting it in a large vase or container -provided it is kept warm and well lighted. The plant grows to about three feet, is cut at the stem, and hung to dry. The dry crisp leaves are then picked and crushed or ground into a powder.

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