Blog
25/07/2009
Stevia leaves - lovely, safe, natural sweetener
I came across Stevia in Germany a few years ago. A friend introduced me to it, a very sweet, flavourless liquid, sold as a bath additive! I've been sensitive to sugar all my life, it really irrritates my body and gives aggravates my Eczema. I found I could use this for sweetening anything really, from drinks to deserts without upsetting my skin!
Stevia comes from the “Stevia Rebaudiana” plant, also known as the honey plant. Originally from Paraguay, Stevia leaves have been used by Guarani Indians in Paraguay as a soothing tonic for stomach ailments and as a healing compound, when cooked in water. When refined into a white powder extract (stevioside), it is much, much sweeter than sugar. Stevia also has shown promise in medical research for treating such conditions as obesity and high blood pressure. In the UK and Europe, the sale of stevia as a food product is banned and it can only be sold for pharmaceutical use.
Users of stevia have also reported lower incidence of colds and flu and can help us lose weight, not just as a virtually no calorie sweetener but by reducing appetite. It can also be used to suppress tobacco and alcohol cravings. The stevia leaf contains vitamins A and C, zinc, rutin, magnesium and iron. Stevia can also be used for skin care blemishes and skin disorders including dermatitis, eczema and seborrhoea. It can also be used to heal cuts and scratches quickly and without scarring and it is for these reasons, stevia can be sold legally in the UK.
It can now be bought from http://stevia.naturallygreen.co.uk/
Enjoy!
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