Have you ever wondered what stevia looks like before it becomes the powder or liquid sweetener you've heard you should use? Stevia is a leafy little plant that has amazing qualities. In fact, I deem it worthy to hold a place in a first aid kit! It's in mine!
Stevia is a super sweetener and depending on the processing of it (or lack thereof), it can be 40-400 times sweeter than regular sugar! That alone is pretty powerful, but there is more! It also handles heat well, so feel free to bake with it. Why is it preferable over sugar? Because it does not raise blood sugar levels and is beneficial for high blood pressure (although it does not affect blood pressure in normal ranges). For more information on that, please visit Stevia.com.
There is more to this little green plant than sweetness, though! In fact, it is great to rid the complexion of blemishes. It tones the skin and tightens pores. This is not why it is in MY first aid kit.... I keep it because of it's power to fight streptococcus bacteria. For those of you who deal with strep throat from time to time, you may also want some handy on a regular basis! Why? Because strep bacteria can't survive in an atmosphere filled with stevia. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
Here is what I do:
When using stevia, use PURE stevia,...not blended with chromium or inulin or anything else. (Those things are good for the body, but they don't contribute to fighting strep bacteria, and if you've ever had strep,...you want fighting abilities!) If you choose powdered stevia, you can use about a teaspoon of the powder in approximately 1/2 cup of warm water. Stir it together and gargle a mouthful. Swallow it. Ahhh.... you'll feel soothing relief....and think "good grief that stuff is sweet!" Get another mouthful and gargle. If you feel the need to spit it out, that's fine too,...but try to swallow at least one big mouthful of it. If you have liquid stevia in a dropper bottle, I use about 3 droppers of liquid to half a cup of warm water and do the same.
The results I've seen have been.... if I do this once or twice today, no more strep pain tomorrow. It's also good if it's a regular sore throat. Use it regularly as a mouth rinse / mouthwash to prevent a lot of colds or other infectious illnesses.
The information contained in this article is not intended to diagnose or treat, but is a statement of the authors experiences and refers to other information found on other sites, noted within.
