The stevia herb is often referred to as a natural sugar substitute. The beneficial qualities of stevia are recognized by official medicine and are widely used in the treatment of various diseases.
Traditional medicine has long drawn attention to the herb stevia, using it in decoctions and infusions to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Stevia is also an indispensable ingredient for people who have decided to lose weight, but do not want to give up sweets.
Benefits of stevia
The herb is often used to sweeten culinary dishes, as it is 25 times sweeter than sugar and has a low calorie content. In addition, stevia lowers blood sugar levels, which is why it is recommended for people with diabetes.
Taking decoctions and infusions of stevia can significantly improve health in the presence of problems with the liver and the functionality of the gallbladder. The herb has a positive effect on the functioning of the entire gastrointestinal tract and protects the system from pathogens.
Stevia contains high amounts of selenium, zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon and copper. Some sweeteners lose their quality when exposed to heat. In contrast to them, stevia decoctions and infusions retain a complex of useful substances. There were no side effects from taking stevia.
How to take stevia
To prepare stevia infusion, you need to brew a teaspoon of dry herb leaves in a glass of boiling water. The infusion time is 10-15 minutes. It is recommended to add the agent to all dishes using sugar during their preparation. You can store the infusion for 2 days in the refrigerator.
Unlike infusion, it is advisable to use stevia broth immediately after cooking. 20 grams of dry herb leaves are placed in 250 ml of boiling water and continue to boil the product for 50 minutes. The broth is filtered and added as needed to dishes that require the use of sugar. Leftover leaves from boiling can be added to tea and coffee.
20 grams of dry stevia is poured with 200 ml of ethyl alcohol. The container is tightly closed and placed in a warm place. A day later, the extract is filtered off and placed in a water bath, evaporated until thickened. The resulting syrup can be added to pastries, tea, coffee, and used as a sweetener.
Stevia has a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, its fresh leaves are applied to small wounds and burns. For gum disease, you can apply the leaves to the inflamed areas. Also, fresh grass is used to make decoctions and infusions, which will be more useful than those prepared from dry leaves.
