Active compound, stevioside is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. Native to South America, it has been used as a natural sweetner for over 1500 years. Roots are used as a relaxant and sedative. Nature's best herbal sedative. Easy to grow and may self seed.
Flowers have higher medicinal properties than leaves.
Crushed flower tops and leaves applied topically stops bleeding and contributes to wound healing. Many use tea to treat colds and fevers.