Stevia is a well-known plant that is most often used as a sweetener and sweetener. It has a positive effect on many systems of the body: nervous, cardiovascular. The main thing is to take stevia for prevention and treatment.
What do stevia leaves contain?
This plant has become a leader in the content of not only sweet substances, but also antioxidants. Complex chemical composition will help to preserve youth, neutralize the influence of negative factors, restore the work of cells. The plant contains a variety of biologically active substances:
- Glycosides. These include steviosides, rebaudiosides, dulcosides, rubizosides. Substances in pure form are sweeter than sugar: almost 120 times more than steviosides, 320 times more than rebaudiosides. They have the ability to expand blood vessels, affect the heart rhythm, depending on the dosage.
- Flavonoids. These include rutin, quercithin, avikulyarin, apigenen. Positively affect the permeability of the walls of blood vessels, increase their tone, prevent sclerotic lesions. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants.
- Organic acids. Arachidonic acid is present in the composition of stevia, which improves the functioning of the central nervous system, activates the recovery processes of nerve fibers. Also in the composition is chlorogenic acid, which is an inhibitor of glucose splitting. Due to this, the blood sugar index decreases.
- Lipids of plant origin. Linoleic, linolenic acids - representatives of omega-6 fatty acids. They improve blood counts, stimulate the production of "good" cholesterol.
- Vitamins. The composition contains vitamins A, E, B1, B2, C, P, PP, F, beta-carotene. They are involved in metabolism, have antioxidant properties.
- Minerals These include potassium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, silicon, and so on. They are structural elements of bone tissue, participate in metabolic processes.
- Pectins. Ensure the safety of raw materials for a long time. They are the "soil" for the colonization of normal microflora, and radionuclides are removed from the body.
- Cellulose. It helps to remove toxins and toxins, during normal drinking regime it activates the work of the crystal system.
- Essential oil. Stevia contains more than 50 volatile components, the interaction of which has bactericidal and antiparasitic effects on the body.
The chemical composition of stevia allows the plant to be used both for preventive and medicinal purposes:
It is a source of vitamins and trace elements;- stabilizes pressure;
- is an immunomodulatory agent;
- has anti-toxic properties;
- is a hypoglycemic agent;
- has an antimicrobial effect.
It is a source of vitamins and trace elements;Due to the high concentration of glycosides, stevia can be used as a sweetener, sweetener. Small dosages of this plant give the food a sweetish taste, but infusions and decoctions have a bitter taste due to the increased concentration of glycosides.
What is the use of stevia for various body systems?
The beneficial properties of this plant are actively used in traditional and traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies.
The cardiovascular system
Stevia regulates blood pressure: small doses of a plant help to reduce, high doses stimulate an increase. The mild and gradual effect of stevia is safe for hypo and hypertensive patients. Also, according to recent studies, the beneficial properties of stevia have been proven - the plant normalizes heart rate and the number of heart contractions. A positive effect of the plant on the vessels allows to eliminate stagnation and spasms, to normalize the tone of the walls of the veins and arteries. The plant reduces the concentration of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, helps to remove plaques from the arteries.
Stevia can be regularly ingested for treatment and prevention.
- hypertension;
- atherosclerosis;
- varicose veins;
- vascular dystonia.
True with fluctuations in blood pressure, his sharp jumps to select the dose must be carefully. With this question it is better to consult a doctor.
Endocrine system
The most common use of leaves is to normalize blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus. The effect of this plant is due to inhibition of glucose absorption.
But when using stevia, diabetics note an improvement in their state of health, a decrease in the need for insulin intake. With regular use of this herb, the dosage of hormones can be gradually reduced.
The plant is also able to restore pancreatic function, in some cases in case of diabetes mellitus type 2, a complete recovery of the organ occurs after the use of stevia. The production of thyroid hormones is also improved, the level of sex hormones is normalized. And all thanks to macro and microelements, which are necessary for hormonal synthesis and the endocrine system, which are contained in the leaves of plants.
The immune system
The composition contains vitamins and trace elements that are necessary for the activation of the body's defenses. It is useful in reducing immunity after illness, during the cold season. Also known is the ability of this herb to eliminate the response of the immune system when allergens enter the body. This effect allows the use of stevia in allergic reactions such as dermatitis or urticaria.
Also, this plant is used for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune skin diseases such as:
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- seborrhea.
The antitumor effect of the plant is based on the ability of stevia to neutralize the action of free radicals.
Antioxidant action is also the basis for slowing the aging process. And antimicrobial and antifungal properties help in the treatment of wounds, including purulent, trophic ulcers, with fungal lesions of the skin.
Digestive system
This herb has a positive effect on all organs of the digestive tract. The plant normalizes the production of digestive juices, acidity, improves digestion. The enveloping properties of stevia leaves will help with gastritis and ulcers.
Antimicrobial action helps to cope with colic, which are infectious in nature, to restore the microflora, to neutralize the processes of fermentation, rotting and gas formation. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of stevia will help in the fight against gastritis and hepatitis.
And thanks to the neutralization of stevia toxins can be used in the medical removal of parasites from the body. Also, the use of this product is recommended for weight loss. In the fight against obesity, it helps not only to replace sugar, to reduce caloric intake, but also to prevent insulin surges, which can cause strong hunger attacks.
Nervous system
Stevia restores the nerve fibers, helps in the fight against migraine attacks, and doctors also talk about the sedative effect of this plant. The use of drugs based on stevia will help to cope with anxiety attacks, insomnia, nervous tension, chronic fatigue, depression.
Stevia increases concentration, stamina. Daily use of the plant is recommended for athletes, as well as those who are constantly subjected to psychological or physical exertion.
Non-medical use of raw materials
Stevia in diabetes is recommended as one of the most effective and safe sugar substitutes. Tablets are used, the active ingredient of which is stevioside - plant extract.
Natural sugar substitute, stevia, is packaged in convenient containers with dispensers. Also, sweetener is actively used in the diet. In cereals and desserts of various manufacturers, this particular sweetener is used. On sale you can find chocolate and vanilla extract for cooking based on stevia, which are usually used by diabetics. The infusion of stevia is also used for cosmetic purposes - it helps eliminate pigment spots, brighten the skin, the ability of this plant to fight dandruff is known.
Homemade recipes
Dry extract of stevia, which is manufactured industrially, contains sweet substances and is called stevioside. This does not preserve the entire chemical composition of this plant in the extract.
Dosage form prepared according to special recipes can be used externally, used in cooking, added to tea and coffee. Separately prepared syrup, which is used instead of sugar. Herbal tea is also popular - it is drunk as an independent beverage or added to other beverages.
Infusion
Cooking is simple:
- Pour 20 g of crushed leaves into a thermos;
- fill with a glass of boiling water;
- leave to infuse for a day;
- strain;
- fill the obtained cake with 100 ml of boiling water;
- strain and take after 8 hours.
Syrup
Prepare the basis of the previous recipe. Then put the syrup in a saucepan with a thick bottom, evaporated over low heat to density.
Decoction
Take two tablespoons of leaves, cover with a glass of boiling water. Bring mass to a boil and simmer for half an hour. Drain water. Add 100 ml of boiling water to the leaves. Leave the mixture for half an hour, then strain.
Extract
Instruction:
- 20 g of leaves, pour a glass of alcohol or vodka.
- Heat over low heat for half an hour, not allowing to boil.
- After 2 hours of infusion, strain the mixture.
Herbal tea
Cooking is simple:
- Take one tablespoon of whole or crushed leaves.
- Pour a glass of boiling water.
- After 20-30 minutes, tea can be consumed.
If you use stevia as a prophylactic, you can simply use it instead of sugar. To treat diseases, it is recommended to drink herbal tea from the leaves. In pharmacies, you can buy ready-made extract in the form of a white bulk powder. With it, you can cook pastries, add to cereals, other dishes
Contraindications
Stevia, or honey grass is a safe, hypoallergenic product. Because of this, it can be used even by children aged 3 years. Up to this age, the chemical composition of the plant can have unpredictable effects on the child’s body.
However, preparations based on stevia are not recommended to be taken during the period of childbearing, because scientists have not yet proved whether the plant will not affect the children's body. Also, due to the complexity of the dosage and different taste preferences, it is better to minimize the use of stevia leaves during this period. While breastfeeding a plant, it is also better to refuse the plant - scientists have not proven the safety of the plant for infants.
Among direct contraindications - only individual intolerance, which occurs very rarely.
