stevia

I would like to get some stevia seeds for postage.

I also would like to hear from anyone who uses stevia.

I would also like to know of any recipes that you use?

Is stevia good for diabetics?

Does anyone know of any good homeopathic web sites?

Thank you.
Edwiena

I just bought a package of Stevia packets for use in tea - I found that 1/2 a packet is good for a cup. The whole packet is too strong. Unfortunately I bought Stevia plus, which has a fiber additive in it. I cannot imagine why they did this, but it is odd. Stevia is the only sugar substitue that will not affect the body's glucose level. If you use too much, it will leave a bitter aftertaste. It is many times sweeter than sugar. My folks are both on diabetic meds, so I thought this would be a start. However, I cannot see replacing sugar with Stevia in a cake recipe... the other ingredients like chocolate, eggs, butter etc kind of counteract the Stevia, don't you think? It is a start!
Julie

Thank you so much for sharing, this is exciting to learn something new.

My Great Grandmother died from diabetes. I was too young to recall, now that I am getting older and being overweight for over 20 years..........and seeing my sil being extremely obese........I figure I best try and do something to prevent and as well help her in the meantime.......as it seems impossible to see her self helping since she has gotten so bad..........diabetic type II.

So you are very much on the right track.....YES, you are.......keep it up, you will be much happier as they say it is easier to prevent than get rid of diabetes.

I have never used stevia. I just saw a show on fresh stevia leaves and the leaf itself is sweet.........about the packaged kind, they said there are several types and one is better it will be sweet and there is one that leaves a bitter after taste. Look for the sweeter brand, what brand are you using?

I wonder if there are recipes on the recipe forum that use stevia, that might be a good place to learn more.

Are both your parents type II diabetics? Is there diet better and do they get enough exercise? I realize when we get older it isn't easy to get the exercise when sometimes we just want to stay indoors or if illness prevents it.

I wonder if your parents eat any type of sugar (sweets), like do they crave sweets?

Thanks, nice talking to you. Edwiena


This message was edited Nov 23, 2004 10:05 AM

If you chew on the leaves, they are very sweet. I keep meaning to brew some with my tea but keep forgetting.

Hey, that is nice to know.
It is that simple to use, you think I could have thought of that. But it is the farthest thing from my mind........lol

Edwiena. . .your post reminded me of an article in the July, 2004 issue of Herb Companion on herbs and diabetes. It doesn't mention stevia, but deals more with herbs that are being studied to support care of diabetes along with other management of the disease. Thought you might be interested in reading it. It's posted at this link:

http://www.herbcompanion.com/view.asp?page=stories&issue=june&july=diabetes

My mother has had Type 1 insulin for over 40 years and so I'm always on the lookout for information to help her. Caught my eye when I read your post.

We also had a thread on Stevia over in the Herb forum back in July:

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/447414/

There's not much info in the posts, but might put you in touch with some others who have experience with it. I also ran a search on 'stevia' in the 'Search Forums' box and it came up with alot of recipes and information. Hope this helps.
;-D Janet

I have a Stevia plant; too young for seeds though. Yes, I'm diabetic... among other things.

Check here: Reviews of; Stevia: naturally sweet recipes for desserts, drinks and more! ~That's the title!
http://davesgarden.com/gbw/c/1363/

It's amongst these: Comments and ratings by NatureWalker http://davesgarden.com/gbw/vcbm/NatureWalker/

Seeds available At: Johnny's Selected Seeds, category 'Herb Seeds'
Stevia (rebaudiana): http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/detailcat.html?source=&edit_id=817&cat_id=205&parent_id=205&topcatid=205&subcatid=280&topname=Herb%20Seeds&subname=Stevia&ct=hg&level=1&prodname=Stevia

A Stevia growing site - Tips: http://www.stevia.net/growingstevia.htm

HTH,
~* Robin

eddiegirl,
Send me your mailing address and I will give you some seeds. Be aware that it is very difficult to grow from seed and requires TLC until established. Seeds only have about 5% viability. Very easy to root from cuttings once you get one established. Safe for diabetics, no calories, no carbohydrates.

Fresh leaves can be eaten but I usually dry them and grind them up in a coffee grinder. A small pinch will sweeten a cup of coffee.

I have many stevia seeds ripening in my greenhouse.I just put about ten mature ones in wet paper towels to test germination.I will update my trading list when I see any results.I just subscribed today so I hope I started my list right.

My mother has grown stevia for years and has a very high germination rate, but only when the seeds are planted fresh. As in RIGHT AWAY fresh. :~)

Wow, nice to know that Stevia seeds will grow as soon as they come off the plant....Thank you. I will try that.

john316. . .welcome to DG's huge gardendening family and definitely let us know how your seed test turns out. . .perhaps that's the secret to good germination rates. . .fresh seeds, as pudgymudpies mom grows them. Will keep this thread marked, as this will be a good test.

Thanks, I am so very glad to a big part of DG hugh gardening family. John 3:16 (Right on, right on, right on!)


Looks like this thread will benefit many, while we all learn all about sprouting the Stevia seeds.

There are some stevia seed sprouters in the process; and I'm sure they will keep you all posted as well~~~~~~smiles to everyone....and God Bless you.

John316,
Welcome to the garden. I'm sure you'll find many friends here. I'll have to try some fresh seeds and see if I get better results. I guess patience is a virtue when trying to germinate Stevia from seed.

There are several options for the Stevia: the packets you buy at the store with fiber which is benefical to the health of the body, fiber is good for diabetics.

Then there are the cuttings available.

Last but not least; the seeds.

I have just planted some fresh seeds from my plants so I will see how well they germinate.
Jan...

Brugielover,
Is the stevia an annual?
If so, these seeds should grow outdoors in the spring or under artificial lights.

eddiegirl,
It is a tender periennial. In addition, I live in west central Florida where we garden year round. I can start almost anything from seed year round with the exception of seeds needing stratification.
I don't grow many of those but I do have a few things in the fridge.

Amazing growing year round, wow that is a dream when I see winter coming...Just wish I could still have some tomatoes or keep some of my flowers alive, but no they have to go since the weather is too cold.....so you actually have stuff growing outside during your winters........like what? When we lived in CA, it was cold there and we had to stop growing certain things during the winter....now when we lived on the coast, I had strawberries one year up to winter, now that was a delight and they were healthy strong plants producing vigorously....that was my first year growing strawberries and I was giving the manure tea and trying to bed them down for winter, but yet they were flowering still....amazing!
A tender perennial, so it will die back and come back in the spring for me...you think?

We get an occasional day or 2 here or there where it gets below 40. If we get a freeze/frost warning,
I bring it the tender potted plants and just throw blankets and sheets over the rest if it isn't too large.
Even if the frost gets some things, they seen to come back well. Currently, I have the following blooming: Duranta, marigolds, canna, petunia, porterweed, asclepias, buddleia, firebush, morning glories, clerodendron, jatropha, snail vine, cassia alata and I saw some new scapes on a daylily.
I spent my first 16 years in Chicago and I could never go back. I need color and sunshine. I know snow and changing seasons can be pretty to look at but it's just not for me. I would be totally depressed 9 months of the year.

I was just talking about bringing in my exercise bike. I know what you mean. Mud gets old to walk in and so does rain, but there is something about it that you can deal with it. Then when snow comes it's so peaceful and lovely, even though cold, you learn how to deal with it and either go out if you need to and get dressed up to be warm. Then there are the days you just refuse to go out in it and refuse to be cold.
It's a good thing we live on a farm and I have to get outside every day to feed the animals, then I get my exercise and burn calories.
I can only imagine living in Hawaii, now that would be the ultimate. Year round gardening, sounds so ideal...

Even though it's been awhile, I do remember the snow and the cold very well. I just couldn't deal with putting on 3 sets of clothes to get the paper and having to go out and warm up the car before you have to leave. I do remember the fun times also as kids with the ice skating and sledding. The cold didn't seem to bother us as much but then we didn't know any better either. It was just the accepted way of life. Just give me sunshine and the occasional hurricane anytime
Jan...

I know what you mean.......glad you have memories......and 16 years is enough, I understand.

Hope you enjoy you garden and flowers; you will surely burn plenty of calories that way...........

It must be really pretty there.