Stevia - what is it? A perennial subtropical plant that is grown in the middle lane as an annual. It is a fluffy bush, highly branched. The height reaches about 70 cm. The leaves are simple, with a double arrangement. The flowers are white, small. The horse system is very well developed, so if you decide to grow stevia in a pot, you need to choose the right size. And now about the most important thing - why is stevia so popular? What kind of substance is contained in its leaves, which allows it to act as the best sugar substitute? Let's get it together.
Nature never ceases to amaze
Indeed, stevia leaves contain a glycoside - stevioside. It is a natural substance that is 300 times sweeter than sucrose. So, there is a way out for the sweet tooth - to eat your favorite sweets, candies, pastries, and absolutely not worry about your figure, because unlike sugar, this substance does not contain calories. For diabetics, people with impaired carbohydrate metabolism and cardiovascular disease, Stevia is a real find. The world has learned not so long ago that this is the only natural analogue of sugar, although the plant has been cultivated in its homeland for many centuries. Its leaves are used in fresh and dried form, and for ease of use, you can purchase syrup or extract in a pharmacy.
Domestic use
Many are unaccustomed to use leaves instead of sugar, but in vain. They are added to various drinks, coffee, tea and cocktails. Despite the greenish tint and the specific taste that you get used to, stevia makes it possible to consume sweets without harm to health and shape. At the same time, the plant does not change its properties when heated, which means that it can be used for baking, jam and other dishes. It is resistant to low temperatures as well as acid. So, for freezing, as well as for making fruit juices and drinks, including oranges and lemons, stevia is also well suited. What kind of plant is it and how to use it, while few know it, but gradually the popularity is growing, people pass seeds to each other and tell how to grow them at home and in the country. Today we’ll talk about how to grow and use honey grass.
Chemical composition
Before planting, and even more so consuming, it's nice to find out what stevia is. Every herbalist knows the healing properties of this plant, but first let’s look at what useful elements it gives to the body. To date, studies confirm that the leaves contain a large amount of vitamins A, C, P, E, as well as trace elements, essential oils, polysaccharides, glycosides, fiber. The grass is sweetened, as we have already mentioned, by stevioside glycosides, which are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. However, here I want to note that this applies only to powder produced using special technologies, in fact, which represents the production of a concentrate or extract. The simple leaves that you pluck from the plant, dry and grind in a coffee grinder, exceed the sweetness of sugar only 15 times, that is, a spoon of such a powder is not able to replace 300 tablespoons of sugar. But it has an undeniable advantage, does not contain calories.
Stevia: medicinal properties of the plant
The chemical composition of this plant has the ability to rid a person of many health problems. It is especially widely used in alternative medicine. Herbalists call her a healer and a recipe for eternal youth. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, bactericidal and choleretic effects. This composition allows you to maintain the body's immune forces and respond effectively to pathogenic viruses and bacteria. In addition, an antiallergic effect is noted, which is also closely associated with the body's immune system, as well as a pronounced diuretic and antifungal effect. The only thing that you need to adhere to a certain dosage is the sedative effect. Abuse of stevia can negatively affect performance.
Unique Amino Acids
We have disclosed only a general list of useful properties; I would like to dwell on a few more points. Stevia leaves contain an essential amino acid - lysine. It is she who is one of the key elements of the hematopoiesis process, is actively involved in the formation of hormones, antibodies and enzymes. Lysine plays an important role in the healing of skin defects, the restoration of the musculoskeletal system after injuries. Another acid the leaves contain is methionine. It is extremely important for people who live in adverse environmental conditions. It helps to protect the body from the harmful effects of radiation. In addition, it is extremely important for the liver, as it prevents its fatty degeneration.
Gastrointestinal tract protection
Stevia leaves contain exactly the set of trace elements that are necessary for the good work of the stomach and intestines. The plant has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. This is extremely important, since the walls of our stomach are often exposed to the negative effects of too spicy foods, acids and enzymes. Any imbalance threatens their integrity and threatens to form ulcers.
Regular use of stevia helps protect the stomach from the effects of strong alcohol and spices. In addition, a unique plant allows you to restore the microflora to normal after a course of antibiotics or poisoning (alcohol, medication or food). Stevia has a positive effect on the pancreas.
The cardiovascular system
And here, stevia showed itself well. The plant is able to beneficially affect the condition of the heart, blood vessels and capillaries, which is easily explained by the presence of flavonoids. It is these substances that provide strength to the walls of our vessels, help overcome spasms. The presence of vitamin C only enhances the vasoconstrictor effect. Without it, a complete synthesis of collagen, which is necessary for the elasticity of blood vessels, and the activity of the heart muscle, is impossible.
Stevia syrup provides the body with the necessary trace elements. These are potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. Thanks to this “cocktail”, thrombosis is prevented and the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood is reduced. The risk of inflammatory processes is reduced, which means that stevia is a plant that effectively fights heart attacks and strokes.
Musculoskeletal system
As already mentioned, stevia extract contains a large number of trace elements. They are vital for the full development and functioning of cartilage tissue and bones. This is calcium and vitamin D, silicon and lysine, that is, the set that can compensate the body for minimal physical activity, passive rest, working in unnatural poses, and overweight. Stevia is recommended by surgeons and orthopedists for diseases such as osteochondrosis and arthrosis. As you can see, stevia extract can be used not only for weight loss, but also for general healing, strengthening and treatment of the body. This amazing plant can easily be grown on your windowsill. Let's look at the features of cultivation.
Site and soil selection
First of all, you need to get the stevia seeds themselves. Today it can be done in specialized stores, at familiar summer residents or through the Internet. With the advent of spring, you need to choose a place for future plantings. If you have a personal plot, then choose the sunniest place, protected from the wind. In the shade, the leaves will not accumulate as much sweet steoside. It is best if legumes grew on the selected site last year. The composition of the soil is very important, it should be light and loose, with a slightly acid reaction. If the composition of the soil on your site is very different, take out part of the garden soil and fill it with a special store mix. You can make your own a mixture of peat, humus and river sand.
Planting seeds
Stevia seeds for seedlings are sown in late March - early April. In the middle lane, it is used as an annual, 16-18 weeks after sowing, the leaves are harvested, the plant is dug up. Although in a pot it can grow all year round. Contrary to popular belief, stevia from seeds is grown quite easily. Seeds, of course, are small, but it does not matter. Mix them with fine sand and gently spread over the surface of a light earth mixture. They do not need to be covered with earth, it is enough to spray lightly with water and cover with glass or polyethylene. As soon as the sprouts appear, the glass is removed and the pot is transferred to the brightest place. With the advent of a pair of true leaves, it is necessary to pick.
Landing
With the onset of sustained heat, plants should be transferred to the garden. If you plan to grow stevia on a window, then choose a wide, not too deep pot of large volume, transplant one strong sprout into it and put it in the sunniest and warmest place, you can on the balcony. Usually, landing is done when the air temperature rises to + 15-29 degrees during the day. It is advisable to plant in the evening and cover the plants from the bright sun the next day. A thickened fit is preferred. Immediately the plant needs to be hilled to a height of 1/3 of the length of the trunk and well watered. This is almost all the information on how to grow stevia. With regular weed removal, watering and top dressing, a good harvest of sweet foliage awaits you. Do not forget that this plant was originally perennial, so it is advisable to dig out the roots in the fall and store them in the cellar until next year. Part can be planted in pots so that in winter you have fresh leaves.
Winter storage
After harvesting the rhizomes should be dug together with the ground and dried. After that, take a large box and pour earth into it, expose the crust from above and fill it with moist soil to the stumps. So Stevia hibernates. Care is to withstand the correct temperature conditions. At temperatures above +8, premature growth begins, and temperatures below +4 are fraught with death of the roots.
You have the last task - to prepare the collected stems. To do this, they are simply collected in bunches and suspended to dry in a shaded place. After complete drying, you can put it in a linen bag and remove it as needed. The resulting raw materials are ground in a coffee grinder and added to various dishes to taste. Judging by the reviews, the herbal flavor is almost invisible in drinks. This is amazing stevia. Its application is very wide - cocktails and jelly desserts, drinks and favorite pastries (sweet, but without extra calories).
Stevia extract
For your own convenience, prepare a syrup or extract, which can be added to taste in various dishes. To do this, pour whole leaves with alcohol or ordinary vodka and leave for a day. Do not worry, you do not have to drink alcohol. The next day, carefully filter the infusion from leaves and powder. Repeat this procedure if necessary. To evaporate all alcohol, it is necessary to heat the resulting infusion. To do this, pour into a metal dish and put on a slow fire, the mixture should not boil. Alcohol substances gradually disappear, and you have a clean extract. Similarly, you can prepare an aqueous extract, but the beneficial substances are not extracted as completely as in the case of alcohol. But, by evaporating water, you can achieve a high concentration. The properties of stevia from heating do not deteriorate.