Stevia
Stevia, commonly known as sweet leaf, is a remarkable medicinal plant prized for its intense, natural sweetness. Derived from the Stevia rebaudiana herb, it serves as a calorie-free, non-glycemic alternative to sugar. Beyond culinary uses, it is valued in traditional medicine for supporting blood sugar regulation and wellness.
- Scientific name: Stevia
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Stevia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Stevia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Stevia rebaudiana, is recognized by various common names across different Chinese linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 甜叶菊属 (zh-hans) or 甜叶菊属 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese contexts, it is called 甜菊屬 (zh-hant) and 甜菊屬 (zh-hk). Additionally, in Singapore, the name used is 甜菊属 (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 甜叶菊属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 甜菊屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 甜菊屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 甜叶菊属 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 甜菊属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 甜菊屬 | Wikidata |
| gn | Ka'a he'ẽ | Wikidata |
| sk | stévia | Wikidata |
| he | סטיביה | Wikidata |
| th | หญ้าหวาน | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within Switzerland. Its presence extends to the Caucasus region, specifically throughout the Transcaucasus. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is established in both Bangladesh and India. Additionally, the plant's range includes the island nation of Sri Lanka.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Caucasus | Transcaucasus | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Australia | New South Wales | WCVP |
| Southwestern U.S.A. | Arizona | WCVP |
| South-Central U.S.A. | New Mexico | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Stevia, is highly valued for its natural sweetness, which is primarily derived from its leaves. These vibrant green leaves contain glycosides that provide a sugar-like taste without the calories, making them a popular alternative to traditional sweeteners. To make the plant more convenient for culinary use, the dried and processed stevia leaf powder is widely used in various food and beverage products, offering a concentrated way to enjoy its unique properties.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stevia leaf powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Stevia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, steviol glycoside.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steviol glycoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Stevia has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Antiproliferative, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Stevia has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cysticercosis, echinococcosis.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cysticercosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| echinococcosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |