Smoking is a detrimental habit but this does not prevent people from smoking. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance which makes people crave for it, and the more they smoke, the more they need it.

When smokers do not take nicotine, they feel great discomfort, which is a manifestation of the withdrawal phase. The physical symptoms will stop in a week, but the cravings need more time.

Yet, a recent German study showed that Stevia can be of great help in the avoidance of alcohol and cigarettes. This plant is a member of the chrysanthemum family and is native to Paraguay. It has been used as a sweetener for long. Stevia inhibits the cravings and the signals the brain sends.

Therefore, if you are struggling to give up smoking, you should start consuming a few drops of Stevia daily.

When you experience a craving stroke, drop them directly on the tongue, and they will fight the cravings right away. Stevia can be used in the form of liquid and powder, and you can purchase it from healthy food stores, and supermarkets.

Stevia is highly beneficial in the case of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. It nourishes the skin and tightens it, treats acne, and fights dermatitis.

This is how to grow it at home:

It cannot survive in freezing conditions as it likes warm temperatures and the sun. Its root survives in zones 9 and warmer and might grow again in spring.

If well protected, it can also survive in zone 8. Plant the Stevia in 12-inch containers, with high-quality soil. Place them to be exposed to direct sunlight and water it when the soil is dry.

Leave the plant to have a space of 18 inches, in a well-drained, loamy, and loose soil. It might reach a height of 1-3 feet. Plant it after the end of the frost, and use nice compost.

To prevent drying, use mulch in the summer. Do not use soggy soil, and make sure it has a good drainage. Note that the roots are rotten or attacked by insects if the plant wilts.

Trim off the flowers in fall, as it blooms then, in order to stimulate the growth of new leaves. The flowers are white, and to help the plant release more leaves, clip off the blooms. On the other hand, the leaves are the sweetest in autumn, before it starts blooming.

When the leaves are plucked, dry them to be able to use them longer. Cut off the stems, and eliminate the leaves and tender stems. Scatter it on woven fabric or some non-metal surface, and dry the leaves in the sun.

This process lasts for a day, and you should then collect them and place them in a container. Crush the leaves and make a powder.

Pour the powder into airtight containers, and add it to your foods and drinks to sweeten them.

Sources:
www.baby-kids-parents.com
www.non-stophealthy.com