Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
Edible plantPhoto credit: Ethel Aardvark
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Purified steviol glycosides not genotoxic/carcinogenic at evaluated levels, well tolerated within the ADI. Regulatory approval (JECFA/EFSA/FDA GRAS) applies to purified high-purity glycosides, NOT crude whole-leaf/extracts. Very high intakes may cause mild GI effects.
Contraindications: Caution combining with antidiabetic/antihypertensive drugs (additive lowering); Asteraceae allergy; pregnancy/lactation — purified within ADI acceptable, crude preparations lack data.
Interactions: Potential additive glucose- and BP-lowering with medications (monitor).
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Purified within ADI acceptable; crude preparations lack data.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
aqueous infusion · leaves
Part used: leaves
purified steviol glycoside extracts · leaves
Part used: leaves
dried leaves (whole/powdered) as sweetener/tea · leaves
Part used: leaves
Traditional use: sweeten yerba mate; folk medicine for fever, diabetes/blood-sugar, blood-pressure regulation, infections, digestion
Proposed mechanism: steviol glycosides (stevioside, rebaudioside A) — sweetener; antihyperglycemic/antihypertensive effects largely preclinical
Dosage note (descriptive only): JECFA/EFSA ADI 4 mg/kg/day (steviol equivalents)
Associated conditions
Edibility
Edible parts: Leaves, raw or dried (sweeten or tea; or purified extract).
Toxic lookalike warning
~200+ Stevia species in Asteraceae (many toxic/bitter members) — use verified S. rebaudiana only; do not harvest wild 'stevia-like' composites.
Nutritional notes
Essentially non-caloric, non-nutritive sweetener; ~200-300x sweeter than sucrose; leaf has minor flavonoids/phenolic acids.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025
- Steviol Glycosides updated overview, Molecules (MDPI), 2023