Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana): names, uses, safety

Stevia rebaudiana is a small herb from Paraguay whose leaves are intensely sweet. The Guaraní people call it ka’a he’ê, “sweet herb”, and have used it for centuries to sweeten maté. Purified steviol glycosides from the leaf, two to three hundred times sweeter than sugar, are approved as sweeteners in India and many other countries. Many people notice a liquorice-like, bitter aftertaste.

Botanical name: Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni
Family: Asteraceae
Tamil: Stevia
Hindi: Stevia
Parts used: Leaf
Habit: Sweet-leaf; the leaf is a kitchen sweetener, not a clinic
Last updated: 2026-10-30

How to recognise Stevia

It is a small, bushy perennial, usually under a metre, with opposite, toothed, slightly hairy leaves.

Tiny white flowers grow in small clusters at the shoot tips.

Chewing a fresh leaf gives an immediate, strong sweetness.

It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae, not to sugarcane or any grass.

Dried leaves keep their sweetness and can be powdered and added to tea.

Traditional use of Stevia

Guaraní tradition

The Guaraní of Paraguay and Brazil sweetened maté and medicinal teas with stevia leaves.

South American indigenous practice

Modern notes on Stevia

The sweetness comes from steviol glycosides such as stevioside and rebaudioside A. They contain almost no calories and do not raise blood sugar.

Food safety agencies, including India’s FSSAI, permit purified steviol glycosides within set limits.

Stevia safety

Purified stevia sweeteners are considered safe in normal amounts. They do not replace diabetes treatment, and sweet-tasting foods still need moderation.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to the border region of Paraguay and Brazil, in grassland and scrub.

In India it is grown on a small scale in Punjab, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and other states.

It is propagated from cuttings and harvested several times a year.

It prefers mild temperatures, regular water and well-drained soil, and dislikes waterlogging.

Related plants

Also in Asteraceae

Questions about Stevia

Is stevia natural?

It comes from a plant, but sweeteners are purified extracts.

What older names does Stevia rebaudiana go by?

Eupatorium rebaudianum.

Can I grow Stevia at home?

Yes, in pots in a sunny, well-drained spot.

How sweet is a leaf?

A single fresh leaf can sweeten a cup of tea.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.