Stevia the Sweet leaf

The leaves of the honey herb are sessile, oppositely arranged lanceolate and serrated above the middle. The trichome structures on the leaf surface are of two distinct sizes, one large (4-5µm),one small (2.5µm). The flowers are white with sweet scent and flavour, arranged in an irregular cyma.

Abstract: The sweet leaf, also known as the honey herb, is nowadays being used as an alternative for sugar. It is also used to treat a gamut of problems from diabetes obesity, hypertension, physical fatigue, and heart burn to even dental decay as the leaves are endowed with significant medicinal properties.

The author is working as teaching staff with Balimela College of Science & Technology, Dist -Malkangiri (Orissa).