stevia?

[samariah]

what exactly is it and is it considered raw/healthy?

[Frugal Raw]

Stevia is a plant that is naturally sweet. You can buy the actual plant and use the leaves to sweeten teas, etc. In the processed form, it is sold as a nutritional supplement. This is the powdered leaves. It has no impact on blood sugar, so is excellent for people with diabetes. It isn't a true sugar, so it is also great for people who have candidia overgrowths.

[tinystrawberry]

ooooo wow i've been having a mind blank. i forgot that's what stevia was
i used to have stevia growing in my garden and i used to eat the leaves 'cuz they were so sweet
aha

[tvillemom]

You know, I should've bought some of those plants at the farmers market this spring!!! I have bought the powder form....but I think the leaves steeped in my tea would taste so much better. The powder almost takes on an "artificial sweetner" taste....it does take some getting used to. I like agave nectar, but I recently ran out, and had a whole box of powder I've been neglecting, because I really don't like the taste. I am now getting used to it (I only use it in my tea) so maybe I should invest in the plant.

Thanks,
Wendi

[lukster9]

you have to be really careful with your Stevia intake and children should not have it. It causes infertility.:(

[SharonC]

http://www.stevia.net/safety.htm#Contraceptive

I just posted this link without clarification - wanted to make sure that no one thinks it is backing up the post about stevia causing infertility because it actually is the opposite!

[Nurse in the Raw]

I just bought some dried stevia leaves to put into my smoothies. The taste is unusual but I am trying to go rawer (is that a word) with my condiments and sweeteners.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I'm 90% sure that my stevia powder is not raw, as it is white and obviously ground. But I haven't checked with the company.

[Dr. White]

I did a research paper on stevia and fertility in college. Stevia was used as birth control by native women. They would chew the leaves to avoid pregnancy. There were never any studies done to prove this and there is no proof it caused long term infertility.

[belle]

I did a research paper on stevia and fertility in college. Stevia was used as birth control by native women. They would chew the leaves to avoid pregnancy. There were never any studies done to prove this and there is no proof it caused long term infertility.

interesting!! :eek: In a womans position who is planning to prep her body for pregnancy in the next year to year and a half, would you reccomend limiting stevia's consumption? ...if any at all