Great tips Karen!

I have been told NOT to permit the plant to flower. Pick the flower sprigs and dry them. If allowed to flower the plant will finish its life cycle and die. If not allowed it is nearly perennial in warm climates. Here in Oregon I had success in over-wintering by pouring a large heap of autumn leaves on top of the stumps. They are now coming back up from the roots.

Additionally, many of the health benefits that are suggested here with stevia use come more from replacing high carbohydrate foods (especially foods high in sugar) with lower carbohydrate foods sweetened with stevia. A good thing nonetheless, but worth noting, especially since the amount of stevia actually being consumed is miniscule (remember how it’s 250-400x as potent as sucrose) and unlikely to have any effect at all on the body, while studies tend to dose their patients with higher concentrations.

I agree. Human studies are certainly more relevant.

Great idea!

It almost grows like a weed from my experience.

I just pick a sprig, hang it upside down in my kitchen until thoroughly dry, then grind the leaves to a powder with mortar and pestle. Only takes a tiny pinch to sweeten a cup of tea. Used a tablespoon in a big batch of pickled eggs I put up recently. Good stuff.