How to Grow Sweet Stevia and its Medicinal Uses

23 Apr How to Grow Sweet Stevia and its Medicinal Uses

We all crave yummy fruity desserts but do we request a bakery to add stevia to our order? No, right? To address this health concern, food companies are incorporating stevia dry leaves as a fill-in to reduce sugar content and create guilt-free desserts that taste just as amazing.

This innovation helps health-conscious customers enjoy the remarkable benefits of stevia. Extracted from dried leaves, Stevia acts as a sugar substitute for sweetening baked goods, and fruit dishes, which usually call for sugar.

Indeed, it’s an interesting plant to cultivate. Understanding how soil, water, and sunlight help this natural sweetener grow can make the cultivation process fun and rewarding. Let’s keep reading to learn about growing stevia in the backyard of your home:

1. Soil conditioning: Like many other plants, Stevia prefers complete sun exposure to flourish. Before sowing seeds, make sure to condition the soil well so it has all the nutrients for its optimal growth. Perhaps, you can use loamy soil to grow this natural sweetener.

Further, mix a good amount of organic matter like fertilizer, and compost to the planting bed and turn it inside before the plantation process begins. It cultivates best when soil pH ranges between 6.7 and 7.2.

2.Planting technique: Start Stevia plantation with stevia seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the final frost begins. The seed will come to life in 7-21 days. After the last frost and once they sprout, move stevia outdoors because the natural sweetener won’t be able to cope with temperatures below 45°F.

Give your stevia seeds a nice soak by covering them with loose soil. To promote good growth, sprinkle some water to keep it moist.

3. Watering: After the plantation of stevia is successful, be sure to water regularly. You can cover them with a plastic cover so that stevia retains moisture and doesn’t get in the way of its flourishing.

4. Harvesting: To ensure continual growth and nourishment, trim the stevia leaves regularly. Cut the stem to 4-6 inches at the end of every season. After all, plants need regular care because they are used while preparing your favorite delicacies.

Planting stevia is a quick fix, right? But to maintain it well you have to keep nurturing it so it rises to its authentic state. Now, let’s discuss the driving force behind planting stevia. How safe is stevia and how can it heal you internally?

Medicinal Uses of Stevia Extract :-

1. Antioxidant Properties: Polyphenolic compounds are found in stevia rebaudiana leaves. So, antioxidants like this play an important role in:

• Neutralizing free radicals
• Contributing to improved cellular health
• Preventing heart disease and diabetes

2. Ketogenic Diet: Stevia is an effortless way to reduce weight. It contains no calories. The natural sweetener is crucial for a ketogenic diet which helps keep your body in a ketosis state. Having too many carbs can kick you out of ketosis.

Therefore, it is recommended to burn sugar for carbohydrates which can be helpful for weight management.

3. Digestive Aid: Stevia has been a healer for the digestive system since its arrival in the market. It is believed to function as a prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. A balanced gut microbiome fosters improved digestion, immune function, and overall well-being of a person.

Hopefully, the above-mentioned gave you some insights on how to become a pro at growing stevia and reaping its awesome benefits.

Due to the increasing demand for natural sweeteners, stevia is grown on a global level. It is now cultivated in various parts of Asia, North America, Europe, and Dubai. So, if you have the land and farming tools, it’s time to sow a seed of Stevia, turn fresh leaves into powder, and share the natural sweetness with others.