HERBAL MONOGRAPHS STEVIA/727inflammation, odorous perspiration, nervous exhaustion,
neurasthenia with poor memory and hypochondria, sexual
neurasthenia, gonorrhea, melancholia, hysteria, leukorrhea,
headaches, general debility and delicate health, weak blad-
der, scrofulous and swollen glands, hair loss, rheumatism,
nervous diarrhea, habitual obstipation, gastric ulcer, gastritis,
trigeminal neuralgia and conditions of the eyelids.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
External administration of extracts of the drug leads to
reddening, inflammation and eczema. Internal administration
could lead to inflammation of the throat, salivation, nausea,
ructus, skin itching, and urinary and stool urgency.OVERDOSAGE
The intake of 2 teaspoonfuls of seeds leads to weakened
pulse, stomach pain, labored breathing and collapse.Treatment of poisoning consists of stomach and intestinal
emptying (gastric lavage, sodium sulphate), and the adminis-
tration of activated charcoal. Further treatment should
proceed symptomatically (i.e. diazepam for spasms, sodium
bicarbonate for acidoses, intubation and oxygen respiration
may also be required).DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: An extract from the seeds is used in
homeopathic dilutions.Storage: The drug should be stored cautiously, as it is
poisonous.LITERATURE
Kern W. List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. 1969.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Madaus G. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck. Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Micovic IV, J Serb Chem Soc 51:355. 1986.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Stellaria media
See Chickweed
Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the dried
leaves.Flower and Fruit: The composite flowers are surrounded by
an involucre. The capitula are in loose, irregular, sympodial
cymes. There are 5 overlapping epicalyx sepals, with 5
tubular florets per composite flower. The flowers have light
purple rhacis, white tips and 5 stamens. The fruit is a 5-
ribbed, spindle-shaped achene with 15 to I7,awns.Leaves, Stem and Root: Stevia rebaudiana is a semi-shrub
that grows up to 30 cm high. The leaves are sessile, 3 to 4
cm long with an elongate-lanceolate or spatulate, blunt-
tipped lamina. The leaves are serrate from the middle to the
tip and entire below. The upper surface of the leaf is slightly
glandular pubescent. The stem is weakly downy-pubescent at
the bottom and woody. The tough rhizome has slightly
branching roots.- Characteristics: All plant parts taste intensively sweet.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Paraguay.Production: Stevia leaves are the dried leaves of Stevia
rebaudiana.Other Names: Sweet Herb, SweetleafACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Diterpenes: diterpene glycosides, particularly stevioside (5
to 10%), rebaudoside A (2 to 4%), including as well
rebaudoside C and dulcoside AVolatile oil (0J%): chief components nerolidol and caryo-
phyllene oxideFlavonoids: including apigenin-4'-Oglucoside, luteolin-7-
O-glucosideEFFECTS
The use of the drug as a sweetener is based upon the
glycosidal diterpenes present (stevioside's sweetening power
is 300 times that of saccharose). In animal experiments,
stevioside significantly elevated the glucose clearance while
at the same time increasing both salt excretion and urine
flow (measured in percentage of glomerular filtration rate),
which led to a significant lowering of blood pressure.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses include hypertension,
diabetes and as a contraceptive. '•