Stevia (stevia rebaudiana) is a natural herb from the rain forests of Paraguay. It possesses many medicinal healing properties, contains many nutrients (calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, rutin, iron, phosphorous, vitamins A and C, and more), and is used as a natural sweetener. It is one of the few sweeteners, with a true alkaline pH level. The purest form of stevia is the whole leaf plant, ground into either a fine powder or extracted into a concentrated water-based extract.
It is suggested that we stay way from the alcohol-based extracts or stevioside products. Stevioside products have the sweetening qualities of stevia, but do not have the nutritional benefits of pure stevia leaves.
Stevia has no calories and is much sweeter than sugar. It can be used in place of sugar in a variety of ways. An infusion can be made with 1 teaspoon of stevia leaves to 1 cup of water. One drop of the infusion equals about one half teaspoon of sugar. The ground stevia powder can be used in cooking or sprinkled on foods after cooking. There are also tea bags available containing the ground stevia powder. Be sure to add stevia gradually, since it is sweeter than other sweeteners.
When purchasing stevia, make sure it is of good quality. The highest quality comes from Paraguay. A recommended brand is manufactured by a company called Wisdom of the Ancients. They have tea bags, liquid concentrate, and extract tablets.
The nutritional benefits reported are amazing. Studies have shown that it has been used for years in South America to help regulate blood sugar for hypoglycemic and diabetic patients. Within a short time period, these studies indicated that people's blood glucose levels were normalized by adding 20 to 30 drops at each meal. It is also used as a weight loss aid because it contains no calories and seems to satisfy the "sweet tooth." Studies also indicated it can lower high blood pressure without affecting normal blood pressure. The tea is also used as a stomach and digestion tonic. It is also know to reduce the craving for tobacco and alcohol. The water-based liquid extract is also used on the skin to smooth out wrinkles and heal blemishes.
Approximate Stevia Sweetness Equivalents:
1/3 to 1/2 tsp. White Extract Powder = 1 cup sugar
1 tsp. Stevia Clear Liquid - 1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. Whole Dark Leaf Liquid Concentrate = 1 cup sugar
1-1/2 to 2 Tbs. Whole Leaf Dried Powder = 1 cup sugar
2 tsp. Whole Leaf Dark Liquid Concentrate = 1 cup sugar
Too much stevia may taste bitter. When substituting stvia for sugar, you may have to adjust for the bulk. Try adding applesauce, mashed bananas, or apple juice.
The Cleanse Cookbook. By Christine Dreher, C.C.N., C.C.H.
It is suggested that we stay way from the alcohol-based extracts or stevioside products. Stevioside products have the sweetening qualities of stevia, but do not have the nutritional benefits of pure stevia leaves.
Stevia has no calories and is much sweeter than sugar. It can be used in place of sugar in a variety of ways. An infusion can be made with 1 teaspoon of stevia leaves to 1 cup of water. One drop of the infusion equals about one half teaspoon of sugar. The ground stevia powder can be used in cooking or sprinkled on foods after cooking. There are also tea bags available containing the ground stevia powder. Be sure to add stevia gradually, since it is sweeter than other sweeteners.
When purchasing stevia, make sure it is of good quality. The highest quality comes from Paraguay. A recommended brand is manufactured by a company called Wisdom of the Ancients. They have tea bags, liquid concentrate, and extract tablets.
The nutritional benefits reported are amazing. Studies have shown that it has been used for years in South America to help regulate blood sugar for hypoglycemic and diabetic patients. Within a short time period, these studies indicated that people's blood glucose levels were normalized by adding 20 to 30 drops at each meal. It is also used as a weight loss aid because it contains no calories and seems to satisfy the "sweet tooth." Studies also indicated it can lower high blood pressure without affecting normal blood pressure. The tea is also used as a stomach and digestion tonic. It is also know to reduce the craving for tobacco and alcohol. The water-based liquid extract is also used on the skin to smooth out wrinkles and heal blemishes.
Approximate Stevia Sweetness Equivalents:
1/3 to 1/2 tsp. White Extract Powder = 1 cup sugar
1 tsp. Stevia Clear Liquid - 1 cup sugar
1 Tbs. Whole Dark Leaf Liquid Concentrate = 1 cup sugar
1-1/2 to 2 Tbs. Whole Leaf Dried Powder = 1 cup sugar
2 tsp. Whole Leaf Dark Liquid Concentrate = 1 cup sugar
Too much stevia may taste bitter. When substituting stvia for sugar, you may have to adjust for the bulk. Try adding applesauce, mashed bananas, or apple juice.
The Cleanse Cookbook. By Christine Dreher, C.C.N., C.C.H.
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