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Everyone knows that cigarettes harm health, but many people still do not stop smoking. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that creates the desire to reach for a cigarette again. And the more a person smokes, the stronger this craving tends to be.
Craving for a cigarette
When a smoker does not get their dose of nicotine, they feel great discomfort. It is a typical sign of addiction.
Physical symptoms usually subside after about a week, but psychological ones can persist longer.
German research
One German study found that an herb called stevia can be very helpful in quitting cigarettes, and also alcohol.
It is a plant from the chrysanthemum family and originates from Paraguay.
It is usually used as a sweetener as a natural sugar substitute containing no calories. Now its medicinal properties in removing various types of addictions are beginning to show.
Therefore, if you have trouble quitting smoking, you should start taking a few drops of stevia extract daily.
When you feel the craving for a cigarette, drop them directly onto your tongue. It suppresses the cigarette craving almost immediately.
How to get Stevia?
Stevia is sold in powder form or in liquid form as drops.
Sometimes it used to be available only in health food stores; today you can already find it in some supermarkets.
Besides the aforementioned help with quitting smoking, stevia has other health benefits – it lowers high blood pressure, treats diabetes and supports weight loss.
In addition, it nourishes and tightens the skin, treats acne and other skin problems.
How to grow Stevia at home?
Stevia is a relatively delicate plant requiring a warm and sunny environment, after all it comes from the tropics.
However, it is possible to grow it in a home environment. You will need larger flowerpots with a diameter over 30 cm and high-quality soil.
You can get seeds in seed shops. You can also try some home improvement stores such as OBI. If you cannot find it there, search the internet for e-shops that sell them.
Place the pots in a spot where direct sunlight falls and water regularly so the soil does not dry out. Loosen the soil well before planting.
To prevent the soil from drying out in summer, it is good to cover it with freshly cut grass and replace it at least once a week. However, the soil must not be waterlogged, so make sure the pot has good drainage.
If the roots are waterlogged, the plant could wilt. It grows to a height of 30 to 90 cm.
In summer and autumn, when stevia blooms, cut off the flowers to encourage the growth of new leaves. The leaves are sweetest just before flowering.
Processing and consumption of stevia
When the leaves have fully grown, pick them, remove the stems and dry them.
We dry the leaves by spreading them on some woolen cloth (not a metal surface) and placing them in direct sunlight.
They should be dry within 1 to 2 days. Then crush them into a powder and store it in an airtight glass container.
Add the powder to your favorite foods and drinks.
Warning
As with everything, do not overdo stevia. Its long-term and excessive consumption can reduce sperm count in men.
Otherwise it is completely harmless and will provide you with many of the health benefits mentioned above in this article.
