Yerba Dulce

This genus includes some 280 species of shrubs and perennials, found in tropical and subtropical parts of N and S America. Stevia rebaudiana is widely cultivated for its leaves, which are used as a sweetener. It is uncertain how many members of the genus contain the same or similar sweet substances, but at least one other, S. serrata (sweet leaf, rowinowa) is used as a sugar substitute. In Paraguay the plant is called caa'-ehe, sweet herb, by indigenous people who have used it for generations as a sweetener, especially in maté tea. Stevia rebaudiana was first described scientifically in 1887; the sweet-tasting glycoside known as stevioside was isolated in the 1930s. Stevioside is 300 times sweeter than sucrose, and about a fifth as sweet as saccharine. It has been used by the Japanese food industry since the 1970s following the development of an extraction technique that removed the color and bitterness. Dried leaves, and powder made from the dried leaves, are 10-15 times sweeter than sugar.

Native to Paraguay, the unassuming little stevia plant has leaves that are approximately thirty times sweeter than sugar, which virtually have no calories. The Guarani Indians has chewed these leaves for their sweet taste and have used them to sweeten medicinal teas and the beverage yerba maté. Stevia has recently gained attention as a noncaloric sugar alternative and a sweetener used in food manufacturing, particularly in Japan. It may also have medicinal benefits: An extract of stevia called stevoiside was recently tested in over 150 men and women with midly elevated blood pressure. After two years' treatment, blood pressure fell significantly in those taking the herbal extract compared to those who had received a placebo.

Evergreen shrubby perennial with soft green, spathulate, deeply veined leaves, to 5cm (2in) long. Tiny white, groundsel-like flowers, are produced in clusters in winter.


Common Name:
Yerba Dulce
Other Names:
Azucacca, Sweet Herb, Sweetleaf, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sugar Leaf, Caa'-ehe, Stevia
Botanical Name:
Stevia rebaudiana
Genus:
Stevia
Family:
Asteraceae
Native Location:
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Cultivation:
Moist sandy soil in sun.
Propagation:
By semi-ripe cuttings in summer, Seed is often infertile.
Harvest:
Leaves are picked as flowering begins and dried whole, ground as powder, or processed into extracts.
Height:
60-90cm (24-36in)
Width:
60-90cm (24-36in)
Hardiness:
Min. 7°C (45°F)
Parts Used:
Leaves
Properties:
A very sweet herb.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally in folk medicine as a contraceptive, and to lower blood sugar levels.
To treat diabetes and low blood pressure; as a contraceptive.
Possible Side Effects:
Stevia's side effects include low blood pressure and reduced heart rate.
Drug Interactions:
Taking stevia with these drugs may increase the risk of hypotension (excessively low blood pressure):
Acebutolol, (Novo-Acebutolol, Sectral)
Amlodipine, (Norvasc)
Atenolol, (Apo-Atenol, Tenormin)
Benazepril, (Lotensin)
Betaxolol, (Betoptic S, Kerlone)
Bisoprolol, (Monocor, Zebeta)
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex)
Cardesartan, (Atacand)
Captopril, (Capoten, Novo-Captopril)
Carteolol, (Cartrol, Ocupress)
Carvedilol, (Coreg)
Chlorothiazide, (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone, (Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)
Clonidine, (Catapres, Duraclon)
Diazoxide, (Hyperstat, Proglycem)
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Doxazosin, (Cardura, Alti-Doxazosin)
Enalapril, (Vasotec)
Eplerenone, (Inspra)
Eprosartan, (Teveten)
Esmolol, (Brevibloc)
Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil)
Fenoldopam, (Corlopam)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)
Guanabenz, (Wytensin)
Guanadrel, (Hylorel)
Guanfacine, (Tenex)
Hydralazine, (Apresoline, Novo-Hylazin)
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide)
Hydrochlorothiazide and Triamterene, (Dyazide, Maxzide)
Indapamide, (Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)
Irbesartan, (Avapro)
Isradipine, (DynaCirc)
Labetalol, (Normodyne, Trandate)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Losartan, (Cozaar)
Mecamylamine, (Inversine)
Mefruside, (Baycaron)
Methyclothiazide, (Aquatensen, Enduron)
Methyldopa, (Apo-Methyldopa, Nu-Medopa)
Metolazone, (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)
Metoprolol, (Betaloc, Lopressor)
Minoxidil, (Loniten, Rogaine)
Moexipril, (Univasc)
Nadolol, (Apo-Nadol, Corgard)
Nicardipine, (Cardene)
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia)
Nisoldipine, (Sular)
Nitroglycerin, (Minitran, Nitro-Dur)
Nitroprusside, (Nipride, Nitropress)
Olmesartan, (Benicar)
Oxprenolol, (Slow-Trasicor, Trasicor)
Perindopril Erbumine, (Aceon, Coversyl)
Phenoxybenzamine, (Dibenzyline)
Phentolamine, (Regitine, Rogitine)
Pindolol, (Apo-Pindol, Novo-Pindol)
Polythiazide, (Renese)
Prazosin, (Minipress, Nu-Prazo)
Propranolol, (Inderal, InnoPran XL)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Ramipril, (Altace)
Reserpine, (Reserpine)
Spironolactone, (Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton)
Telmisartan, (Micardis)
Terazosin, (Alti-Terazosin, Hytrin)
Timolol, (Betimol, Timoptic)
Torsemide, (Demadex)
Trandolapril, (Mavik)
Triamterene, (Dyrenium)
Trichlormethiazide, (Metatensin, Naqua)
Valsartan, (Diovan)
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
Taking stevia with these drugs may increase the effects of the drug:
Amlodipine, (Norvasc)
Bepridil, (Vascor)
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Felodipine, (Plendil, Renedil)
Isradipine, (DynaCirc)
Lacidipine, (Aponil, Caldine)
Lercanidipine, (Cardiovasc, Carmen)
Manidipine, (Calslot, Iperten)
Nicardipine, (Cardene)
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia)
Nilvadipine, (Nilvadipine)
Nimoldipine, (Nimotop)
Nisoldipine, (Sular)
Nitrendipine, (Nitrendipine)
Pinaverium, (Dicetel)
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR)
Taking stevia with these drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose)
Acetohexamide, (Acetohexamide)
Chlorpropamide, (Diabinese, Novo-Propamide)
Gliclazide, (Diamicron, Novo-Gliclazide)
Glimepiride, (Amaryl)
Glipizide, (Glucotrol)
Glipizide and Metformin, (Metaglip)
Gliquidone, (Beglynor, Glurenorm)
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase)
Glyburide and Metformin, (Glucovance)
Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R)
Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
Miglitol, (Glyset)
Nateglinide, (Starlix)
Pioglitazone, (Actos)
Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin)
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia)
Rosiglitazone and Metformin, (Avandamet)
Tolazamide, (Tolinase)
Tolbutamide, (Apo-Tolbutamide, Tol-Tab)
Lab Test Alterations:
  • May decrease blood pressure.
  • May decrease blood glucose levels.
Disease Effects:
May lower blood sugar in diabetics and interfere with therapy to control blood sugar.
Supplement Interactions:
  • Increased risk of hypotension or increased therapeutic effects when used with herbs and supplements that may lower blood pressure, such as Black Cohosh, Danshen, and Panax Ginseng.
  • May increase blood glucose-lowering effects and risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with herbs and supplements that lower glucose levels, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, Devil's Claw, Panax Ginseng, and Psyllium.
Culinary Uses:
Leaves are used as a sugar substitute in food and drinks. The sweetening agent, stevioside, is stable when heated and does not precipitate in acids or cause fermentation.
Warning:
Stevia and extracts are not permitted to be sold as sweeteners in some countries.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 375
The Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.430-433