Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a safe, non-fattening sweetener that has been used for centuries by Paraguayan Indians and by Americans since about 1908. The FDA allows its sale, but only as a "nutritional supplement"--It can't be advertised as a sweetener. The ad ban is said to be the result of complaints to the agency by commercial producers of aspartame. In any event, it's much sweeter than sugar and can sweeten beverages and be used in cooking, too. Note: Stevia also goes by the appetizing common name, Candyleaf.