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Abstract
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a perennial herb belonging to the family Asteraceae, has gained global attention as a natural non-caloric sweetener and a medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic benefits. Traditionally used by indigenous communities of South America, stevia has been widely adopted in modern food and pharmaceutical industries due to the presence of intensely sweet diterpene glycosides such as sativoside and rebaudioside. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Stevia rebaudiana, including its botanical description, geographical distribution, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemical constituents, and biochemical and nutritional properties. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds such as steviol glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, sterols, and volatile constituents, which contribute to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and cardioprotective activities. Additionally, stevia exhibits favorable nutritional characteristics, including low caloric value and beneficial carbohydrate and protein content, making it suitable for diabetic and health-conscious individuals. The growing scientific evidence supports the traditional claims of stevia and highlights its potential as a safe natural alternative to synthetic sweeteners, as well as a promising candidate for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.