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Honeywort - application, effects and recipes
contents
- Wanted poster for honeywort
- herbs portrait
- Ingredients and effect
- nutrient
- Studies on the effectiveness of Stevia
- Application and dosage
- Honeywort as a sugar substitute
- Medicinal herbal use of Stevia
- Natural cosmetics from Stevia
- side effects
Caution, danger of confusion: Honeywort is not the same sweetie. Although Stevia rebaudiana due to the strong sweet taste is colloquially often referred to as sweet herb or sweet leaf, but this is a very different plant, namely the Aztec sweet herb (Lippia dulcis). This is also characterized by an aromatic sweetness, but belongs to a completely different plant family and is also distinguished by its healing effect of the stevia.
Wanted poster for honeywort
Scientific name: Stevia rebaudiana
plant genus: Stevia (Melaleuca)
plant family: Compositae (Asteraceae)
Folk name: Sweet herb, sweet leaf, Ka'a He'ẽ
Occurrence: South America, Paraguay, Brazil
application areas:
- inflammation
- weight problems
- Heart disease and vascular diseases
- infectious diseases
- Metabolic disorders
- digestive problems
- dental disease
Used plant parts: Leaves
Stevia is not only an alternative sweetener, the honeywort plant also brings a lot of healing effects, especially when it comes to cardiovascular and vascular health. (Image: oxie99 / fotolia.com) herbs portrait
Asteraceae such as Stevia have in common that they usually form very graceful Rad- or ray blossoms, which remind the viewer of the stars or the sun. Due to their ornamental value, Asteraceae are quite often in use as a decorative element in the garden. By contrast, in honeywort, the interest is rather less in the flowers of the plant. Although the petite, white umbels of up to a meter high stevie also make beautiful in their native green, but it is not particularly hardy because of their subtropical origin and therefore, if at all, only as an annual open-air or indoor plant in culture.
In addition, the stevia are much more important because of their leaves, because they contain the sweet ingredients of the plant, which make them a hot traded sugar substitute in the kitchen. In its pure form, the leaves of honeywort are about 30 times sweeter than conventional beet sugar. Extracting the responsible for the plant sweetness ingredient, stevioside, it even has a 150 to 300 times as strong sweetening power.
useful information: With only 100 grams of Stevia leaves can sweeten whole 180 liters of tea. The sweet ingredients of the leaves, unlike table sugar, are not caries-causing and even suitable for diabetes.
Stevia rebaudiana is native to the South American borderland between Paraguay and Brazil. The natural sweetener has been in use there for centuries. For example, the indigenous peoples of both countries tend to sweeten their mate tea with it. But the sweetening effect is not the only peculiarity that the natives of Paraguay and Brazil found on the leaves of the stevia. Above all, the Guaraní people, who gave their name to the health berry guarana, also appreciated the medicinal properties of the honeywort. It is also due to the epithet of the plant "sweet herb", which derives from the popular name of the plant Ka'a He'ẽ.
As part of their folk medicine knew the Guaraní Stevia in particular for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure or heart failure. But also overweight and indigestion such as heartburn were treated with stevia. In addition, the honeywort is said to have a fertility-enhancing effect, although there are no reliable studies that can confirm this. On the other hand, most of the other healing effects that are said to be beneficial to stevia are relatively well documented, which is why, in addition to its function as a natural sweetener, it is also used today for the following health problems:
- Chronic diseases of the digestive organs (for example, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, liver or kidney disease)
- Cardiovascular diseases (e.g., hypertension, vasoconstriction, heart failure, edema or venous disease),
- Infectious diseases (e.g., bacterial infections or fungal infections),
- systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, gout, or overweight),
- Dental diseases - also preventive (for example caries, bleeding gums or gingivitis).
Ingredients and effect
The sweet taste is based, as well as the healing properties of Stevia, on a special ingredient mixture of the plant, which is composed of more than 100 different active ingredients. Particularly notable in this regard are three groups of active ingredients:
- flavonoids,
- glycosides,
- terpenes.
In addition, stevia also contains a number of valuable nutrients that support the healing effect of honeywort in particular.
flavonoids
Actually, flavonoids (from Latin flavus for "yellow") are plant dyes and thus responsible for the coloration of plant petals, leaves and secretions. However, many flavonoids also have medically relevant properties. especially the
- antiallergic,
- antioxidant,
- disinfecting,
- antispasmodic,
- anti-inflammatory,
- diuretic,
- Cardiovascular strengthening
- and immune boosting
The effect of many flavonoids has long been known to medicine. In Stevia sometimes seven different flavonoid compounds could be detected. One of them is Rutin. Especially the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are very intense in this flavonoid. In addition, Rutin possesses
- hemostatic,
- to stimulate blood circulation
- and vascular strength
Properties that make the phytochemical a significant drug for cardiovascular and vascular bleeding.
Rutin - one of the flavonoid compounds in Stevia - has hemostatic, circulation-promoting and vessel-strengthening properties, which make the phytochemical a significant drug for cardiovascular diseases and vascular bleeding. (Image: Thomas Söllner / fotolia.com) glycosides
Rutin, as well as flavonoids in general, belong to the glycosides. These are chemical compounds that result from a combination of one alcohol molecule and one sugar molecule. In addition to flavonoids, medically relevant glycoside groups include cardiac glycosides and phenol glycosides such as anthocyanins or salicin. Like rutin, both of these glycoside groups are characterized by their exceptionally good healing properties in cardiovascular diseases. The same applies to the so-called steviol glycosides - albeit in a slightly modified form.
Stevioglycosides are a group of glycosides that have so far only been discovered in stevia. They form the substance mixture, also referred to as stevia, which is commercially available as an alternative sweetener. In particular
- dulcoside,
- rebaudioside
- and stevioside
are to be mentioned as main components. Both glycosides are characterized by the fact that their sweetening effect exceeds that of conventional sugar by 300- to 450-fold. Furthermore, stevioglycosides have the reputation of relieving the metabolism and the vessels in a special way and even to be healthy for the teeth. This is how the glycosides work, for example
- lowers blood pressure,
- hypoglycemic,
- caries and plaque inhibiting.
In addition, they are very low in calories and therefore ideal for people who do not want to give up the sweetness in desserts and sweets when losing weight. Apart from that, even patients with diabetes can use the sweetening power of stevia, since the glycosides they contain do not increase blood sugar levels, but on the contrary actually lower them.
By the way: rebaudioside, as well as the species addition of the honey herb "rebaudiana", was named after its discoverer and first scribe Ovidio Rebaudi. The Paraguayan chemist, writer and occultist was the first in 1900 to study medicine for stevia.
nutrient
The minerals in Stevia also benefit the cardiovascular function. In addition, they strengthen the immune system and support bone formation and blood formation. The minerals contained in the honeywort are in this context some of the most important for the maintenance of the body functions mentioned, namely:
- iron,
- potassium,
- calcium,
- magnesium
- and phosphorus.
In addition, the plant's own trace elements improve how
- chrome,
- cobalt,
- manganese
- and silicon
the digestive processes in the body, which contributes to the trouble-free organ function of the stomach, intestine, liver and kidneys. Furthermore, when it comes to the immune system, not only minerals and the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of stevia play a role. Because the plant's own vitamin C is considered a guarantor for a functioning immune system. There are also significant amounts of vitamin B, which supports the visual and nervous function.
Plant-specific trace elements such as chromium, cobalt, manganese and silicon improve the digestive processes in the body, which contributes to the trouble-free organ function of the stomach, intestine, liver and kidneys. (Image: New Africa / fotolia.com) Studies on the effectiveness of Stevia
That Stevia indeed fulfills many aspects of the reported healing effects has been proven by numerous scientific studies. For example, a 2006 study from South Africa confirmed the efficacy of rutin on leg and pregnancy edema. Even a successful treatment of purpura by the flavonoid has been proven by scientific studies. The disease is based on chronic, capillary vascular bleeding, which leads to red spots on the skin. And even patients with intestinal inflammation, according to studies respond positively to the administration of rutin.
Speaking of gut: The positive influence of Stevia on the functionality and health of digestive organs is scientifically proven by other examples. In Mexico, researchers were able to confirm that stevia has a preventive effect on both acute and chronic liver disease, as well as reducing oxidative stress and the risk of necrotic processes and biliary congestion.
The kidney also does Stevia well. According to study results from India, thanks to the plant, not only can an anti-diabetic effect be demonstrated, which ensures that diabetes patients excrete less sugar in the urine. Similarly, taking Stevia leaves generally reduces the risk of kidney damage. Overall, it is thus possible to record a protective effect of honeywort against chronic liver and kidney diseases. A similar finding was also made by an Indian research team investigating the therapeutic benefit of stevia in chronic organ disease.
Application and dosage
Stevia can be purchased both as seed and in the form of preferred plants. In addition, the range of stevia preparations is very large. From stevia powder and granules via stevia tablets and capsules to liquid extracts of stevia, there are numerous variants here. In addition, honeywort is now also used in the food industry as a direct food additive and is referred to herein as so-called e-substance E 960.
Thanks to the very extensive use of stevia today, an EU regulation from 2011, which allows the honeywort as a food additive. Previously, a UN expert panel certified the plant's health safety in June 2008, which greatly facilitated the trade and cultivation of stevia as a crop. However, there are some dosage guidelines. In 2004, the WHO initially set a maximum daily dose of 2 mg stevia per kg body weight. In the meantime, the permitted daily ration has been revised upwards to 4 mg per kg body weight.
The range of stevia preparations is large. From stevia powder and granules via stevia tablets and capsules to liquid extracts of stevia, there are numerous variants here. (Image: pat_hastings / fotolia.com) Tips for buying honeywort
If you want to bring your own Stevia plant home, you should pay attention to the integrity of the leaves when buying. A fungus or bacterial disease of the plant could, if handled improperly, quickly become a health problem if the harvested leaves are consumed. In general, the plants should have no pale to whitish discolored spots on the underside of the leaf, as this could indicate plant diseases such as mildew or leaf rust.
Also, a dull green color of the entire plant should let buyers notice. Here, the honeywort was possibly overfertilized or even treated with a wrong fertilizer. In this context, it should also be noted that only organic fertilizers (such as stinging nettle, horn shavings or special fertilizers for useful and herbal plants) may be used for the culture of stevia. Chemical preparations make the plant inedible and lead to poisoning in the worst case when consumed.
Another criterion arises from the price-performance ratio when buying dried stevia leaves. Because the quality, ie the active substance content of the plant, can vary depending on cultivation and site conditions. As a guideline: 1000 grams of dried leaves should normally not cost more than 35 euros. In addition, attention must be paid to manufacturer certificates and organic cultivation conditions.
tipAlthough the supply of stevia powders and tabs is very large, it is advisable to use fresh or dried leaves directly. Because in the production of powders and granules usually a large part of the active ingredients is lost, which is especially disadvantageous if you want to use honeywort for medical or at least health-promoting purposes.
Honeywort as a sugar substitute
Imagination has no limits when cooking with Stevia. The given daily dose is seldom reached anyway, since the leaves of the honeywort are so sweet that small amounts are usually sufficient for use in the kitchen.
The most traditional way of using stevia in the kitchen is certainly sweetening mate or tea in general. In addition, there are many other recipe ideas for
- Pastries (such as biscuits or cakes),
- Desserts (such as fruit yoghurts),
- jams,
- chocolate,
- smoothies,
- fruit juices,
- sodas
- and cocktails
.
Allowed is what tastes. Since honeywort is also very heat-resistant, even baked goods such as cakes and cookies can be sweetened with the plant. For use as a kitchen ingredient, the leaves are best chopped finely. A mortar is recommended for the production of stevia paste.
Allowed is what tastes. Since honeywort is very heat resistant, even baked goods such as cakes and cookies can be sweetened with the plant. (Image: Yancho Zapryanov / fotolia.com) Medicinal herbal use of Stevia
Stevia tea is still the best option for internal use. For external use, for example, for the treatment of bleeding gums or gingivitis, you can just allow the tea to cool and then use as a mouthwash. Meanwhile, there is even toothpaste with honeywort, which again proves that the healing effect of the plant is quite present.
Natural cosmetics from Stevia
This aspect of use is especially interesting for women. Because there are now countless beauty and cosmetic recipes that rely on the power of stevia. For example, the liquid extract of Stevia in
- face masks,
- facial Toner,
- skin creams
- and even shampoos.
To prepare the liquid extract you only need:
- 25 g stevia leaves (dried, ground),
- 2 cups of water,
- 1 cooking pot,
- 1 tea strainer (optionally clean linen towel),
- 1 bottle (dark, airtight sealable).
Put the water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Next, add the ground Stevia herbs and simmer for about three minutes with the lid closed. Then remove the pot from the stove and allow the broth to cool briefly. Finally, the liquid extract is filtered through a sieve or cloth, placed in a bottle and kept airtight in the refrigerator.
Natural cosmetics from Stevia are especially interesting for women. In addition to face masks, the liquid extract z. B. also be used in skin creams and shampoos. (Image: verona_studio / fotolia.com) side effects
There have been many discussions in the past about possible carcinogenic and genotoxic effects of Stevia. However, these assumptions could be refuted in various studies. In addition, there is so far no known information about possible side effects for honeywort. (Ma)