Stevia is the best natural sweetener with no side effects. Honey grass, also called stevia, is widely used not only in the diet, but also in traditional and traditional medicine.
What it looks like and where it grows
This plant is common in Central and South America, China, Brazil and Israel. Stevia grows only in subtropical conditions, it does not hibernate in the continental climate. Honey grass is also common on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula.
Externally, stevia is a low shrub, not reaching a height of seventy centimeters. The leaves of the grass are richly green, oval and elongated in length. Inflorescences are small, white.
Honey grass looks like mint or chrysanthemum.
Chemical composition
Stevia is rich in macro and microelements: chromium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, copper and phosphorus. It consists of several substances with a sweet taste: stevioside (unparalleled natural sweetener, which compares favorably with synthetic substances, because it is safe for the body); glycosides dulcoside, rubuzoside, rebaudioside. Fresh leaves of honey grass contain vitamins: A, B, C, and R. Also, stevia contains acids important for the body: linoleic and arachidonic.
Did you know? In Japan, stevia powder capsules are used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
Medicinal properties
Antioxidants in the composition of stevia can slow down the process of cellular aging. Essential oils and macro-and micronutrients enhance the body's defenses, have antifungal effects. Honey grass has a positive effect on the nervous and digestive systems. Tea from the plant is a good diuretic. Also scientifically proven ability to stop the growth of tumors. Perhaps the most popular herb for the treatment of obesity and a variety of metabolic disorders. 
Important! Stevia is an effective way to fight bad habits. Regular use of tea from honey grass will get rid of cravings for sweets, cigarettes and alcohol.
Use in traditional medicine
The healing properties of honey grass are widely represented in traditional medicine recipes. The ability to replace stevia sugar allows its use in diseases associated with metabolic disorders, especially diabetes. Also, the plant has wound healing and tonic properties, can reduce pressure and cleanse the body of toxins and slags.
With diabetes
Stevia - the solution to many problems of diabetics. Firstly, it allows you not to limit yourself in the sweet. Secondly, there are no carbohydrates in the plant, which requires insulin to be broken down. Thirdly, honey grass contains a large amount of beneficial substances for the body.
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For the treatment of diabetes, traditional medicine advises taking stevia infusion. To make it you need two teaspoons of honey grass powder mixed with three tablespoons of St. John's wort grass. Mixture pour a glass of boiling water and let stand in a warm place for half an hour. Strain and drink three times a day before meals for a third cup. 
With stomach ulcers
Stevia decoction suitable for treating not only gastric ulcers, but also duodenal ulcers. For its preparation it is necessary to mix a teaspoon of stevia herb and two teaspoons of Hypericum herb. Pour the mixture with a glass of boiling water and boil on water boil for 15 minutes. Take a decoction in the form of heat for a third glass before meals.
Did you know? Stevia extract is 300 times sweeter than sugar.
For skin diseases
For furunculosis, eczema and psoriasis, special preparations are made. gadgets from leaves and plant powder. Psoriasis and furunculosis are effectively treated with lotions of mixed and filled with a glass of boiled water a teaspoon of stevia powder and two chopped cloves of medium-sized garlic.
When eczema in the ratio of 1: 5 mixed teaspoons of dry crushed leaves of stevia and blackberry. The mixture is poured with one glass of boiling water. A little insisting, it is ready for use in the form of lotions. 
Dandruff
A spoonful of dried, shredded leaves is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to infuse for a quarter of an hour. The cooled tea is regularly rubbed into the scalp. This tool allows you not only to forget about dandruff, but also gives the hair shine and density.
Nettle, coltsfoot, willow, onions, chives, nasturtium, lemon, garlic will help to get rid of dandruff.
How can be used in cooking
Stevia can be used in cooking in the form of leaves, powder or extract. Honey grass leaves can completely replace sugar when added to tea or coffee. Unusually tasty and decoction of the leaves. They can also be added to compotes or fruit and berry cocktails. Powder version of the plant is used to make marshmallows, jams, biscuits, pies and cheesecakes. The plant extract will be a good sugar substitute in the preparation of ice cream and fruit desserts.
Important! Properly dried raw stevia retains its green color. Dried in violation of technology leaves turn brown.
Contraindications and harm
Stevia is contraindicated in hypotensive women, pregnant women and nursing mothers. It should also be given with care to children. In general, stevia has no contraindications, except for the above conditions and individual intolerance. 
Natural vegetable sugar substitute with a wide range of therapeutic and prophylactic properties has long been popular in many countries. It is worth paying attention to those who prefer a healthy lifestyle. This plant is able to completely replace sugar, not yielding to it in taste, but at the same time, without causing any harm to health.
