Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is an upright shrub up to 60-90 cm tall of the Asteraceae family, native to North through South America, known for centuries as 'Ka-ahe' meaning sweet herb. This plant has been widely researched as a raw material for calorie-free, non-carbohydrate sugar. Stevia is believed to help stabilize blood sugar in diabetics and blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Grows at elevations of 500-1,000 m above sea level, subtropical to tropical climate, temperature 15-35°C, sandy loam to loam soil with a pH of 5.5-6, rainfall 1,200-1,700 mm/year.

• Root fibrous, divided into 2, namely fine roots and thick roots.
• Stem round elongated, finely hairy, has many branches.
• Leaves single, green in color, slender elongated to oval shaped, finely serrated, opposite sessile leaves, 2-4 cm long, 1-5 cm wide, pinnate veins.
• Flowers hermaphroditic, corolla white and tube-shaped, small in size (7-15 mm), white in color.

• Propagated generatively (seed) and vegetatively (offsets, stem cuttings, branch cuttings, tissue culture).
• First harvest is done when the plant is 40-60 days old

Stevioside, rebaudioside, dulcoside, flavonoid, saponin, polyphenol, glycoside (stevioside rebaudioside A, C, D, E, and F, steviolbioside dulcoside A), saponin, sterol, triterpene, alkaloid, amino acid and non-essential amino acids.

Stabilizes blood sugar in diabetics and blood pressure in hypertensive patients, increases calcium absorption in osteoporosis treatment, helps gum inflammation symptoms, inhibits dental plaque growth.

• Air-dry the leaves on a tray for approximately 4 days.
• Once wilted, dry the leaves in the sun until dry.
• Grind using a blender into powder.
• Store in a clean, closed container at room temperature.

Daun manis.