Stevia rebaudiana is an herb that has been used for centuries by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay both as a sweetener and as medicine. It was "discovered" by Dr. Moises Santiago Bertoni, the director of the College of Agriculture in Asuncion, who was exploring the jungles of Paraguay. He first heard of the herb in 1887, and encountered a live plant for the first time in 1903. He later said of this herb, "the sweetening power of kaa he-e [the native name for the stevia plant] is so superior to sugar that there is no need to wait for the results of analyses and cultures to affirm its economic advantage...the simplest test proves it."



http://www.practicalhippie.com/stevia.htm

http://www.stevia.net/

Fine

Its lives up to expectation however its pricey for anybody in our communities to consume and even the health and power bars made many still use other sweeteners like fruit concentrates etc.

I check out the websites and if you like this sugar than you can grow it yourself. Even as far north as in the climate of Southern Canada.

I also believe the author of the text quoted is doing the native Indians a disservice. In all likelyhood I wouldnt expect them to depend on this plant like we do with sweets in the West. Eating sweets all day everyday and these indians were blessed with fertile land in South America. There are probably other things in their diet that needs more attention besides what we in the West do with making plantantion and farms to sweeten our lives everyday. Just a school of thought.

stevia+ lemons+ water =greatlemonade

Stevia is also has a very alkaline PH. This makes it much healthier than cane sugar. Maintaining a Alkaline blood PH is essential in avoiding disease and retaining your youth. Eating a diet high in foods with a Alkaline PH also helps your body to normalize its weight and body fat levels. http:www.eatingraw.biz