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Stevia rebaudiana
Stevia · (Stevia rebaudiana)
Daisy family (Asteraceae)
Description
For centuries the Guaraní people of Paraguay and Brazil chewed the fresh leaves of this daisy-family herb or used them to sweeten yerba mate – its name „ka'a he'ẽ“ simply means „sweet herb“. The responsible compounds are steviol glycosides such as stevioside and rebaudioside A, 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, now used worldwide as a calorie-free sweetener (E 960); EFSA has set an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg per kilogram body weight. South American folk medicine also used the leaves as an infusion for digestive complaints, fever, and to support liver function, though solid clinical evidence for these uses is lacking. The flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, along with chlorogenic acid, additionally contribute antioxidant properties. At culinary amounts stevia is considered safe; caution is advised for people with known Asteraceae allergies such as chamomile or marigold, and with high-dose extracts during pregnancy.
The Guaraní peoples of Paraguay and Brazil chewed fresh stevia leaves for centuries as a sweet treat and to sweeten yerba mate. The vernacular name 'ka'a he'ẽ' (sweet herb) reflects the plant's cultural status as a food supplement and wellness plant.
Preparation & dosage
In South American folk medicine, stevia tea was used for digestive complaints, bloating and general strengthening. Ethnobotanical records document Guaraní use for gastrointestinal complaints.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 200 ml hot water over 1–2 g dried leaves, steep 5 minutes, strain.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
Dried and powdered stevia leaves are used worldwide as a calorie-free sugar substitute. The contained steviol glycosides (primarily stevioside and rebaudioside A) are 200–300 times sweeter than sugar. EFSA evaluated steviol glycosides as a food additive (E 960) and established an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight per day.
Preparation & dosage
In folk medicine, stevia was used in South America to support blood pressure. Pharmacological studies showed vasodilatory effects of stevioside via calcium channel antagonism, though these effects are clinically irrelevant at usual sweetener amounts.
Preparation & dosage
Used in South American folk medicine to support fever, infections, and skin problems. In vitro studies show antimicrobial activity of volatile oils from the leaves against certain bacteria and fungi.
Preparation & dosage
Sources: [4]
Ethnomedicinal reports from Paraguay and Brazil document the use of stevia tea as a diuretic and to support liver function. In vitro and animal studies show hepatoprotective effects; clinical evidence in humans is lacking.
Preparation & dosage
Steviol glycosides (E 960) are classified as safe by EFSA and other authorities worldwide. ADI: 4 mg/kg body weight/day. Raw stevia leaves and crude extracts are not approved as sweeteners in some countries (USA). At very high doses, blood pressure-lowering effects were observed in animal studies — clinically irrelevant at normal consumption amounts. ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Steviol glycosides in food amounts are considered safe. Adequate safety data for pregnancy are lacking for high-dose preparations — caution is advised.
As a sweetener in usual amounts probably safe; data for higher doses are lacking.
Classified as safe in food-grade amounts. High-dose extracts not recommended for infants.
Drug interactions
Antidiabetika / Insulin
Stevioside may promote insulin secretion and lower blood sugar — additive effects with antidiabetics theoretically possible at very high doses.
Antihypertensiva
Pharmacological vasodilatory effects have been observed; additive effect on blood pressure possible with high-dose extracts.
Contraindications
- Known allergy to plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae family — cross-reaction possible.
Harvested part: leaves
- Time of day:
- Harvest in the early morning when leaves are still cool and moist — glycoside content is highest.
- Drying:
- Spread in a single layer and dry in a warm, shaded, well-ventilated spot. Alternative: dehydrator at 52 °C (125 °F) for 6–8 hours. Do not dry in direct sun — quality loss.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store in airtight containers, cool and away from light. This preserves sweetness for up to one year.
- Time of day:
- Before flowering — at this point the glycoside content of the leaves is highest. Never remove more than one third of the plant at a time.
- Drying:
- Bundle whole branches and hang upside-down in an airy, shaded spot until fully dry (3–5 days).
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store dry and airtight.
- SteviosidGlycosideContent: 4-13 %Leaf
Main sweetening compound of the leaf; 200–300 times sweeter than sucrose. Metabolised in the intestine to steviol and excreted via urine.
- Rebaudiosid AGlycosideContent: 2-4 %Leaf
Second most important steviol glycoside; considered milder in taste than stevioside (less bitterness). Main component of commercial extracts.
- Rebaudiosid CGlycosideContent: 1-2 %Leaf
One of over 60 identified steviol glycosides; contributes to overall sweetness.
- Dulcosid AGlycosideContent: 0.4-0.7 %Leaf
Steviol glycoside with a slightly bitter aftertaste; relevant in raw extracts.
- ChlorogensäurePhenolic acidLeaf
Phenolic compound with antioxidant properties; one of over 30 phenolic metabolites in the leaf.
- QuercetinFlavonoidLeaf
Flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; documented in stevia leaves.
- KaempferolFlavonoidLeaf
Additional flavonoid of stevia leaves; antioxidant activity documented in vitro.
- Ätherisches Öl (Terpene)Essential oilLeaf
Volatile terpene fraction with antimicrobial properties in vitro; responsible for the characteristic scent of fresh leaves.
- [2]MonographSafety of a proposed amendment of the specifications for steviol glycosides (E 960) — EFSA Journal 2020(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [3]MonographSteviol Glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana: An Updated Overview of Their Sweetening Activity, Pharmacological Properties, and Safety Aspects — Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1258(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [4]MonographStevia rebaudiana Bertoni as a sweet herbal medicine: traditional uses, potential applications, and future development — Frontiers in Pharmacology 2025(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [5]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana): Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [1]WikipediaStevia rebaudiana (Wikipedia EN)(accessed: 2026-05-22)
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- bright, indirect
- 💧 Water
- every few days
- 🌱 Soil
- Loose, humus-rich, slightly acidic
- 🪴 Pot
- 20 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★★☆ intermediate
- 🐾 Pets
- non-toxic — verified against the ASPCA list
Tips:
- Don't let it dry out — stevia wilts quickly when thirsty.
- Leaves are sweetest just before flowering — harvest then.
- In winter: bright, cool spot (~12-15 °C), little water.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.