The wild-growing Stevia rebaudiana plant from South America has a long tradition among the indigenous peoples of South America. The people of Paraguay and Brazil also call it honey herb or sweet leaf. The dried leaves of the Stevia plant are 30 to 45 times sweeter than sugar and have long been used there to prepare tea,   food and drinks.The Steviol Glycosides extracted from the leaves of the plant are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, as well as being calorie-free and tooth-friendly.