Stevia: A Comprehensive Review on Ethnopharmacological Properties and In Vitro Regeneration

The present review illustrates the pharmacological properties and production of planting materials through in vitro organogenesis of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni). The plant is native to Paraguay; however, the main producers of stevia are Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Brazil, Malaysia and India. This plant is recorded as having a non-caloric natural sugar, alternative to artificially produced sugar substitutes and hence traditionally has been used to sweeten beverages. This article enumerates an overview on pharmacological and micropropagation aspects which are of use to researchers for further exploration for the indispensable improvement of this potential herb with medicinal importance.