About Stevia

Stevia Rebaudiana (pronounced stee-vee-ah re-bau-dee-ah-nah) is an herb in the Chrysanthemum family which grows wild as a small shrub in different parts of the world including South America and Asia. The glycosides in its leaves, including up to 10% stevioside, account for its incredible sweetness, making it unique among the nearly 300 species of stevia plants. There are indications that stevia (or Ca-he-he) has been used to sweeten a native beverage called mat since Pre-Columbian times. However, natural scientist, Antonio Bertoni first recorded its usage by native tribes in 1887.
In 1970 the Japanese began extracting the pure sweet powder found in the leaf for testing and commercial use. Stevia sweeteners have been fully approved and widely used in Japan since 1970 in food products and soft drinks and for table-top use. It is also fully approved and in use in Brazil, where it is also recommended for diabetics.

Click on the links to the left for more information about stevia including frequently asked questions, research studies, and stevia sources.

Copyright 2011 by Lisa Jobs and Healthy Lifestyle Publishing LCC