Botanical Index No. 982

Stevia

stevia rebaudiana (bertoni) bertoni

Medicinal Actions

Antibacterial, Anticariogenic, Antidiabetic, Antiedemic, Antifertility, Antigluconeogenic, Antiinflammatory, Antiseptic, Contraceptive, Diuretic, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Mutagenic, Natriuretic, Nephrotoxic

Primary Conditions Treated

Calcium Antagonist Sweetener Vasodilator Bacteria Diabetes Hyperglycemia Hypertony High Blood Pressure Inflammation Swelling Syndrome X Water Retention

General Dosage

1–2 capsules StX with beverage.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 1. No health hazards known with proper use as a sweetener. AMA suggests that one byproduct of stevia metabolism may be mutagenic; steviol, a metabolite of stevioside “has been found to be highly mutagenic in several in vitro studies”. Insufficient human data exist regarding safety in pregnancy and lactation. Hence, “pregnant and lactating patients should avoid stevia”. Limited data suggest it may be a contraceptive.