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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The researchers would like to recognize the people who have supported them and provided assistance in doing this project. First and foremost, we would like to thank: our parents for their unwavering support, guidance and generosity while doing our investigatory project; Our friends and relatives who shared their views and opinions on the outcome of our project; Our subject teacher who painstakingly reviewed our proposal and provided constructive comments and advice. Lastly, we would like to thank the Lord for giving us the strength and the wisdom to perform our tasks very well. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

ABSTRACT

This investigatory project will determine the effectiveness of guava leaves as an alternative to commercial healing ointments. It is the aim of the study to create a product which is more affordable but can cope up with the quality of the brands. A research was conducted about guava leaves that are known to be effective in the treatment of wounds and as inflammatory medicine because of the antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties it contains. The leaves also contain polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids and tannins which can be effective in treating various diseases. The procedure for creating the product involves boiling of the guava leaves in coconut oil and adding small amounts of candle wax and scented oil to the mixture. The product was tested to an individual suffering from minor wounds. After treatment, it was observed that the wound has been healed and it may be concluded that the ointment is effective.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement Abstract Chapter I Introduction Statement of the Problem Formulation of the Hypothesis Significance of the Study Scope and Limitations Definition of Terms Chapter II Review on Related Literature Chapter III Methodology Chapter IV Results and Discussions Chapter V Conclusion and Recommendations Bibliography 2 3 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11

CHAPTER I I. Introduction People nowadays engage themselves in active lifestyles. Most often, they injure themselves without meaning to or they accidentally hurt themselves. To relieve them of their minor injuries or administer first aid, they result to buying commercial ointments to lessen the irritation or minimize infection. We all know that commercial ointments still have a lot of chemical compound even though they claim that it is made with natural herbs and other ingredients. People nowadays are always looking for products which are affordable but have the same healing effects as the commercial brands. The researchers then came up with the idea of making a homemade ointment made with guava leaves. It is expected that the product would be recommend to people who buy commercial healing creams, and also encourage them to make their own homemade ointment to cure minor skin irritations or injuries. We can also say that the product is made from pure substances and no other chemical substances were mixed which may harm their skin. II. Statement of the problem What is in guava leaves that could be efficient as a treatment balm alternative? Most of us know about the health benefits of a guava fruit. However, it is also often said that guava leaves have several medicinal properties and health benefits. Guava leaves are used as a natural pain reliever because they contain antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These leaves also contain chemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids and tannins which can be effective in treating various diseases. III. Formulation of the Hypothesis The treatment balm is a better alternative to most brands for it is eco-friendly and effective in the treatment of wounds and irritations. IV. Significance of the Study The significance of this investigatory project is that we can maximize the use of readily available natural ingredients and at the same time help people save money because of the minimal cost required to make the product. Another significance of the study is that the components of each substance can cure muscle pain, head ache and stomach ache. It may also be considered as a multi-purpose ointment because it can also heal wounds.

V.

Scope and Limitations The general purpose of our study is to determine the similar components of guava leaves and commercial ointments (that is for us to know if Guava leaves can be used in making an ointment). The study would also help us determine or verify if the guava ointment is equally effective or more effective than commercial ones. The researchers aim in this study is to apprise people that they can also make their own homemade ointment. In this manner, we can also learn how to be resourceful and take advantage of the things that are readily available to us. This is also another way of being perceptive that a lot of plants have medicinal properties.

VI.

Definition of Terms Aqueous Array Carotenoid Compounds Constituent Flavonoid watery collection one of a group of orange or red plant pigments that includes the carotenes a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture one of the parts that form something group of oxygen-containing aromatic antioxidant compounds that includes many common pigments (as the anthocyanins and flavones) grow microorganisms in controlled environment medical treatment based on plants an antioxidant phytochemical (plant substance preventing disease) a rod-shaped bacterium that lives in soil or decomposing organic material a reddish acid that comes from plants relating to, involving, or used in the treatment of disease or disorders medicinal compound

Incubate

Phytotherapy Polyphenol -

Pseudomonad tannin therapeutic quercetin -

CHAPTER II Review of Related Literature According to the authors P.R.C. Abreu, M.C. Almeida, R.M. Bernardo, L.C. Bernardo, LC. Brito, E.A.C. Garcia, A.S. Fonseca and M. Bernardo-Filho, in their article, Guava extract (Psidium guajava) alters the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m. (2006), Psidium guajava (guava) leaf is a phytotherapic used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory disturbances and is used as anti-inflammatory medicine. In nuclear medicine, blood constituents are labeled with technetium-99m and used to image procedures. However, data have demonstrated that synthetic or natural drugs could modify the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of guava leaves on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m. Blood samples of Wistar rats were incubated with different concentrations of guava extract and labeled with technetium-99m after the percentage of incorporated radioactivity in blood constituent was determined. The results suggest that aqueous guava extract could present antioxidant action and/or alters the membrane structures involved in ion transport into cells, thus decreasing the radiolabeling of blood constituent with technetium-99m. The data showed significant (P<0.05) alteration of ATI in blood constituent from blood incubated with guava extract. According to Saba, 17 Best Benefits of Guava Leaves For Skin, Hair And Health, most of us know about the health benefits of guava fruit, but we are unaware of the fact that even guava leaves have several medicinal properties and offer an array of health benefits. Being packed with antioxidants, antibacterial and antiinflammatory agents and beneficial tannins, fresh guava leaves are considered as a natural pain reliever. The chemicals contained in these leaves such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids and tannins can be extremely effective in treating various diseases. Owing to the side effects resulting from the usage of medicines and drugs, herbal plants are being increasingly considered for the treatment of various diseases and guava leaf is one of them. Due to its medicinal properties, guava leaf supplements are nowadays available in the form of capsules and guava leaf tea. According to Aquino SC, Cua LL, Cua SO. Phillipine Journal of Surgical Specialties Psidium guajava linn. ointment: its efficacy on burn wounds, both in-vitro and invivo studies were able to demonstrate the antimicrobial properties of an ointment compounded from guava leaves extract. The in-vitro study showed the ability of the guava extract to inhibit the growth of common skin pathogens affecting burn wounds which included Staphylococcus, B-hemolytic streptococcus and Pseudomonad species in comparison with povidone iodine solution and silver sulfadiazine. The in-vivo study showed that the ointment from the guava extract also limited bacterial colony growth on inoculated burn wound areas using an animal model. According to Kristina DeLion, Why Should Anyone Care About Guava Leaf Extract?, guava leaf, like many other herbs, has an amazing array of qualities, and it seems to be able to do amazing things. It can stop diarrhea and has

saved many lives across the world, especially in impoverished countries, and in regions where modern health care is either not accessible, or it is not affordable (or both). There are constituents in guava leaf that attack pathogens. It is antibacterial. Guava leaf can regulate blood glucose levels. According to an unknown author, PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (Guava), guava leaf in African folk medicine has many uses, including diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, cough, painful menstruation, and hypertension. It is also used to treat acne, painful menses, tooth decay, gum infection and sore throat, as a disinfectant for wounds and as an antiseptic. CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY

Note: Both Elica and treatment balm have anti-inflammatory properties. The experiment shall be tested on a person afflict with insect bites. The ointment shall be regularly administered to the affected area. The researchers shall be monitoring the development of the wound and determine if any improvement can be seen from the application of the ointment. To compare the results of our experiment, other types of ointment will be tested on other persons having the same conditions. This is to determine if our product is more effective and cost-saving than other brands.

CHAPTER IV PRESENTATION

Type of Wound 1st Subject Insect bites

1st Week Moisture from wound lessens; skin lightens

2nd Week Wound is completely dry although slightly dark mark still appears.

2nd Subject Skin allergy

Moisture from wound lessens; skin changes to light color

Swelling of skin has diminished and color of skin is back to normal

Advantages The advantage of this homemade treatment balm is that basically, it could be used as a healing substance for minor injuries or for soothing pain. In addition, you can spend less amount of money because the materials used for this product are readily available in the market or from your homes. Disadvantages The disadvantage of this homemade treatment balm is that it may have side effects on other people like skin allergies. Their skin may have a reaction on some of the substances contained in the ointment. The texture of the product can also be greasy because it is mostly oil-based. Analysis and Interpretation Based on observations, physical characteristics show that the color of the product is Asparagus because of the mixture of guava leaves mixed with the drops of melted candle wax. The product does not smell like the usual ointment because we mixed an amount of scented oil which may also vary depending on our preference. The use of guava leaves as a main ingredient for the ointment provided us a comprehensive data on humanity's demand on nature. As a result of our experiment, we found out that the menthol components of the guava leaves ointment can cure muscle pain, headaches and stomach aches, and it can also serve as an alternative pain reliever. Based on our researches, we have already proven that guava leaves can really heal wounds as it fights bacteria causing infection to the wound. The leaves of the guava are also rich in flavonoids, in

particular, Quercetin. Much of guava's therapeutic activity is attributed to these flavonoids which have demonstrated antibacterial activity.

CHAPTER V The researchers way of planning for this experiment is by determining what may be an alternative treatment for common wounds and irritations. Undergoing brainstorming sessions with the group helped us decide on what we are required to do especially since the educator wanted the researchers to perform and prove a chemical related experiment. In this investigation, the researchers have chosen to use guava leaves as they are widely known to have healing properties. To make certain that the product would be effective, the product was tested to an individual suffering from contact dermatitis (skin allergy). The said individual compared it to other commercial ointment brands and much preferred the usage of our product. Thus, it is proven that the components of guava leaves are efficient for therapeutic use for wounds as the leaves contain antioxidant compounds which helps in the healing process, and polyphenol which is a plant substance that could prevent diseases. In the passage of time, researchers have continuously explored ways to cure illnesses and produce medications that will restore people back to health. In this exercise, the researchers were able to create a product which would be beneficial to people in the treatment of minor wounds and skin irritation. Although the product was proven to be effective, the researchers feel that an improvement may still be made on the product to widen its use or make it efficient also in treating more serious wounds and skin infections. Further studies is hoped to be conducted to determine what other components would complement the product or what procedure should be done to achieve this objective.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Reference: P.R.C. Abreu, M.C. Almeida, R.M. Bernardo, L.C. Bernardo, LC. Brito, E.A.C. Garcia, A.S. Fonseca and M. Bernardo-Filho. (2006) Guava extract (Psidium guajava) alters the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474003/

Reference: Saba. 17 Best Benefits of Guava Leaves For Skin, Hair And Health. http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-guava-leaves-for-skin-hairandhealth/

Reference: Aquino SC, Cua LL, Cua SO. Phillipine Journal of Surgical Specialties Psidium guajava linn. ointment: its efficacy on burn wounds. http://herbs.ph/index.php/research-menu/completed-researches/biological/1201aquino-sc-cua-ll-cua-so

Reference: Kristina DeLion. Why Should Anyone Care About Guava Leaf Extract? http://www.guavaleafextract.com/

Reference: PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (Guava). http://store.blackherbals.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_C ode=BH119&Product_Code=BHSN-BTH-023

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