With more natural sweetness than sugar, Stevia is grown for its sweet leaves. This tropical herb was discovered in Paraguay where it has been used for centuries as a natural sweetener for yerba mate tea. Stevia is a healthy alternative to sugar or artificial sugar substitutes. This all-natural sweetener has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index, so its a perfect solution for people on low-carbohydrate or low-sugar diets. Simply harvest the fresh leaves and steep in water for 30 minutes. The sweet liquid can be used to sweeten any beverage or food.