EFFECTIVENESS OF NONI LEAVES IN THE

CONTROL OF PEDICULOSIS

Julie Anne Catherine L. Javar

Hermielyn Joy E. Soriano
Regine May B. Zapatero
Lorelie M. Espiritu
Robin Joshua D. Alluvida

Urdaneta City University

Urdaneta City

Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of

Noni leaves extract in the control of

pediculosis in four different concentrations:

100%, 75%, 50% and 25%. It sought to

determine the effectiveness of Noni leaves

extract in the control of pediculosis through

spray as measured by the time intervals. The

researchers used the experimental research

design.

The data gathering consists of four stages:

Collection of pediculosis from the person

infested with pediculosis, Preparation of

Noni leaves extract in four different

concentrations, Treatment Phase by

spraying the Noni leaves extract in the

collected pediculosis and Ethical

Consideration.

Experimental research design was employed

to determine the effectiveness of Noni

leaves extract. The researches collected 20

pediculosis in every concentration and

sprayed the Noni leaves extract and

observed within 1, 3 and 5 minutes. It was

concluded that Noni leaves extract is highly

effective if the concentration is higher,

however, for lower concentration it is highly

effective if sprayed in a short period of time.

Hence, the following are recommendations:

to initiate a community- based program on

medicinal plants such as Noni leaves used in

traditional medicine for their cultivation,

conservation and preparation; and further

investigation must be conducted to provide

deeper discovery on the usefulness of Noni

leaves.

Key Words
effectiveness, control, noni leaves,
pediculosis
 Introduction
For the past few years, natural

products have become increasingly popular.

The field of natural herbal remedies has

flourished as they recognize the positive

health benefits of these medicines. The

therapeutic use of plants is very general in

every culture throughout the world. As

stated by Hippocrates father of medicine,

over two millennia ago, “let the food be your

medicine and let medicine be your food.”

Traditional medicines were most likely used

because of its good effect of eliminating

certain diseases, maintaining good health

and serve as a source of food (Wang, 2002).

Also, among the medicine plants

discovered, Noni fruit is one of the

traditional herbs that has therapeutic uses

for over 2000 years in Polynesia. Noni is a

fruit that grows in many tropical countries.

The plant’s average height as it grows is 10

feet. It belongs to the coffee family with a

scientific name Morinda citrifolia and also

called Indian mulberry, ba ji han, nono,

cheese fruit, and that in various cultures

throughout the world. Likewise, it has been

reported to have a broad range of

therapeutic and nutritional value.

Thereafter, Noni has a broad range of

health benefits for cancer, infection,

arthritis, diabetes, asthma, hypertension,

pain and use to dye some traditional clothes

of the ancestor of Polynesians. Noni is

known for its various uses and herbal

remedies in countries throughout the Pacific

islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India.

Thereafter, laboratory studies have

shown that Noni fruit extract has

antimicrobial and anti-parasitic effect use

for infectious disease. Hence, with all the

beneficial discoveries made with Noni, there

is a great reason to anticipate studies to

investigate further its therapeutic benefits

beneficial to human health.

 In the Philippines, Filipinos use

herbal medicine as an alternative to their

treatment because of the high cost of

conventional treatment. During the term of

former Secretary of Health Juan Flavier,

Republic Act 8423 also known as Traditional

and Alternative Medicine Act have passed

legitimizing boost to the alternative

medicine movement in the Philippines.

Moreover, President Gloria M. Arroyo issued

Presidential Proclamation No. 1280; the

declaration created the Indigenous Plant for

Health and Wellness, Research,

Development, and Extension. Aiming to

promote the utilization of native plants as

functional food and source of raw materials

for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and

cosmetical (Fernandez, 2008).

Herbal medicine is the use of natural

herbs and plants for the treatment or

prevention of diseases, disorders and the

promotion of good health. Herbal plants has

been used by Filipino ancestors for many

centuries, and this knowledge had passed

from generation to generation (Philippine

Herbal Medicine, 2015).

Noni tree is one of the 3500 species

of living trees in the Philippines and spotted

growing in coastal provinces like Bohol,

Batangas, and Bataan. All parts of the noni

are medicinal, but recently the fruit was

tapped as a dietary supplement for general

well-being (Pinoy blog, 2009).

Head lice infestation is an

epidemiologic disease among tropical

countries like Africa, Malaysia, India,

Philippines, and others. It estimates up to 6

to 12 million of children under the age of 11

becomes infected with head lice every year.

Despite the fact that head lice are not

completely a childhood disorder, the

majority of people affected by head lice are

young. The Pediculus humanus capitis is the

scientific term for head lice, a parasite that

feeds on human blood with a common

symptom of itchiness of the scalp (Roth,

2017).

Though, lice infestation is not a

serious condition; it causes infected person

sleep disturbances and difficult to focus on

something because of its uncomfortable

itchiness. If not treated, too much itchiness

can cause skin breakdown and lead to

bacterial infection. Moreover, head lice

transmits from one person to other with the

head of someone who has Pediculosis and by

using an infected comb. The parasite

eradicates cheaply and handily by either

using commercially made products or

natural remedies such as the use of herbal

plants.

Literature review
This content presents a summary related

literature and studies which have shown

significant bearing considered relevant to

the research. The review was undertaken to

provide further insight and lead support to

this study. In the succeeding chapters,

discussion of the findings provides meaning

and depth of the probe. Likewise, it also

helped the researchers for the inputs and

the research design used.

Traditional use of medicinal plants

had been a practice in various countries like

the Philippines. Knowledge on the use of

plants as medicine inherits from great

ancestors through oral traditions. In the

Philippines, other indigenous groups

exhibited comparable utilization pattern of

medicinally used to treat certain diseases

(Lasco, 2014).

Moreover, Noni plant is one of the

most primarily medicinal plant’s customs in

the Philippines because it considered as the

wonder fruit, not just because it is merely

accessible but due to helpfulness to treat

certain diseases. In 1990’s, juice from noni

fruit became an extensive product with its

promise as a panacea or cure-all. The legacy

of herbal healers has persisted to the

present time for the benefit of all. The

Department of Health (2003) launched

campaigns for the “Sampung Halamang

Gamot” to identify, develop and market

herbal medicines. The vulnerability of the

Filipinos to anything herbal may be traced to

folk medicine to seek ways to cure illness

and ailments. Emotional attachment to

these therapies, reminding of Lola remedies

such as oregano or Lagundi leaves as a

treatment for coughs.

The Republic of the Philippines

created an act for alternative medicines in

promoting health care in both private and

public sector for better development of

health among individuals. Republic Act 8423

known as the “Traditional and Alternative

Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997.

It is an act of the Philippine Institute

of Traditional and Alternative Health Care

(PITAHC) which promotes the typical and

alternative health care setting that gives

financial advantages that are affordable and

other purposes.

In article 1 section 3 indicates some

objectives of the Act includes: a) for research

purposes to discover new alternatives and

provide boundless contribution in health

care setting especially in the public sector, b)

to promote the use of traditional medicines

act as alternatives for more efficient,

affordable, and consistent in the medical

field, c) to endorse skills in performing

effective old-style and alternative health

care practices, and d) it strengthens the role

of herbal plants to provide more

contributions to traditional medicines.

Article 4 section 12 indicates the

promotion of traditional and alternative

health care. The government promulgated a

campaign to let the public informs the role

and importance of herbal remedies. Also in

the development of research programs

among these traditional practices.

Some governments are going to

participate in developing this act such as the

Department of Health and the Bureau of

Food and Drug Administration. They help

contribute among scholars, scientists,

technical personnel and other technologies

that they can provide for the research

process of the act.

Pediculosis humanus capitis,

commonly known as human head lice are

insects with no wings transmits via direct

contact which is popular among children at

age 5-13 years old. The infestation does not

indeed cause much illness, but it can

contribute to annoyance, irritability, and

agitation. It has become the major health

problem in most tropical countries like the

Philippines and Iran. Some reasons for

acquiring this kind of infestation are via lack

of hygienic practices, lack of medical

treatments, and low socioeconomic status

(Sayyad, 2016).

Moreover, history utilizes medicinal

plants as the primary source of their food.

Extraction of different raw herbal plants uses

active ingredients in the synthesis and

production of pharmaceutical drugs. It gives

the pharmacologic effects such as

antimicrobial, decrease blood viscosity, stool

softeners, anti-malaria, and others.

Medicinal plants contribute synergistic

effects because they act simultaneously, it

also serves as support to other medicine to

form a therapeutic effect. Medicinal plants

have a promising future since there are

about half a million plants around the world.

Furthermore, some plants consider as an

important source of nutrition and drug

development. Various types of medicinal

plants used in herbalism and play a role in

human cultures around the whole world. It is

proven that the component of the plants

also characterized by their ability to prevent

the appearance of some diseases. Natural

remedies or herbal medicines help to reduce

the use of the chemical therapies and reduce

the side effect of synthetic treatment

(Bassam et al., 2012).

Methodology
Research Design

The experimental research answers

the question “what will”. It describes and

analyzes variables carefully in a controlled

condition as a basis for inferring or

concluding. An experimental research,

therefore, consists of manipulating an

experiment variable under highly controlled

condition to determine how and why a

particular event occur. One or more

variables are manipulated to determine

their effect on a dependent variable. The

researcher manipulates independent

variables (e.g., type of treatment, teaching

method, communication strategy) and

 measures dependent variables to establish

cause-and-effect relationships between

them. The independent variable is

controlled or set by the researcher. They as

well measure the dependent variable. An

“experiment” is a prescribed set of

conditions which permit measurement of

the effects of a particular treatment.

Instrument or Equipment

Needed materials and equipment are the

following:

 Noni leaves

 Measuring Cup – used to measure the

amount of the leaves extract.

 Blender – used to grind the noni leaves

 4 Plastic bottle – used as a container for the

extract

 Spray bottle – used to distribute the extract

 Clean cloth – used in squeezing noni leaves

 Gloves and hairnet – for sterile technique to

prevent contamination
 Transparent jar – used as a container for

the collected head lice

 White towel – used to seal the jar

 Swirling spoon – used to stir the noni leaves

extract in different concentration

Procedure for the extraction of Noni leaves

in different concentration

1. Wash thoroughly fresh leaves in running

water, air dried, ground using the blender

then squeeze using a clean cloth to extract

the noni leaves.

2. Separate a measurement of Noni leaves

extract into four concentrations:

a. Measure 100 ml of Noni extract using a

measuring cup, then put it in a plastic

bottle.

b. Measure 75 ml of noni leaves extract using

a measuring cup and add 25 ml of distilled

water, then put it in a plastic bottle.

c. Measure 50 ml of Noni leaves extract using

a measuring cup and add 50 ml of distilled

water, then put it in a plastic bottle.

d. Measure 25 ml of Noni leaves extract using

a measuring cup and add 75 ml of distilled

water, then put it in a plastic bottle.

3. Mix the different concentration then put it

in a spray bottle.

4. Shake before using.

5. The collected pediculosis lays in a jar sealed

with a white towel as a temporary storage

of the gathered parasites.

6. In each four separated towels, 20 lice will

be laid on it and sprayed with four different

Noni leaves extract concentration with

three different time intervals.

Validation of the Research Instrument

It subjects to scrutiny and approval of

the adviser, critic reader, statistician and

other knowledgeable authorities.

Pharmacist and chemical engineers will

check the chemical content of the

ingredients needed in the preparation of

noni leaves extract spray. Their comments

and suggestions will be incorporated in the

experiment before it will be sprayed directly

to the head lice to gather the needed data.

Ethical Consideration

Ethical approval and clearance

obtain from the Barangay Captain of Paulo

Compound Barangay San Pedro West,

Rosales, Pangasinan. Once, it is allowed,

non-maleficence will be implemented or by

doing the obligation to do or cause no harm

to another. Researchers have to act

thoughtfully and carefully weighing the

potential risk and benefits of the research

or treatments to participants. Likewise,

confidentiality observes during the entire

duration of the research process by

protecting their identity and gives the right

to decide or withdraw from the study.

Collection of Noni Leaves

 Gather fresh young leaves of Noni

fruit. Discard the leaves that have damaged

and insect bites. The accumulated leaves

will be washed by running water and then

air dried.

Collection of pediculosis

Pediculosis obtains from children

who are infested every morning at the same

time of the day.

Collection of Data

Upon permission from the Dean of

College of Nursing to conduct the study in

Barangay San Pedro West, Rosales,

Pangasinan, the researchers will formally

ask the permission of the Barangay Captain

to carry out the experimentation.

Documentary Analysis

“Apatot” (Morinda Citrifolia), Noni

in English, is particularly valuable on

account of its various therapeutic uses such

as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungi,

antitumor, analgesic, hypotensive, anti-

inflammatory, immune enhancing effects

and green insecticidal.

The experimental method were

used as the medium for data gathering. It

also manipulates the variable which permits

measurement of the outcome of a

particular treatment and subjected to some

persons.

Tools for Data Analysis

The researchers employed the

statistical tool for data analysis: Frequency

and Percentage.

The responses of the data were

collated, interpreted and analysed by using

the following tools:

Frequency and percentage was

utilized to determine the Level of

Effectiveness of Noni Leaves extract in 25%,

50%, 75% and 100% concentration in time

 elapsed of 1 minute, 3minutes and 5

minutes.

f
p= x 100
n
where:

p = percentage

f = number of dead lice

n = total number lice

Treatment of Noni leaves extract

1. 100% concentration – no water added to

100 ml of noni leave extract

2. 75% concentration – 75 ml of noni leaves

extract with 25 ml of distilled water

3. 50% concentration – 50 ml of noni leaves

extract with 50 ml of distilled water

4. 25% concentration – 25 ml of noni leaves

extract with 75 ml of distilled water

Result and Disscussion

Table 1

Degree of Effectiveness of Noni leaves in

the Control of Pediculosis in terms of

Concentration and Length of Time

 Concentration Time elapsed Frequency Death Level of
percentage effectiveness

25% 1 minute 2 10% ME

3 minutes 4 20% SE

5 minutes 6 30% SE

50% 1 minute 4 20% HE

3 minutes 7 35% E

5 minutes 9 45% ME

75% 1 minute 5 25% HE

3 minutes 9 45% HE

5 minutes 10 50% E

100% 1 minute 11 55% HE

3 minutes 12 60% HE

5 minutes 17 85% HE

Legend

TIME ELAPSED LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS

1 minute 3 minutes 5 minutes

18% and above 38% and above 60% and above Highly Effective (HE)

13% - 17% 31% - 37% 50% - 59% Effective (E)

8% - 12% 24% - 30% 40% - 49% Moderately Effective (ME)

3%- 7% 19% - 25% 30% - 39% Slightly Effective (SE)

2% and below 18% and below 29% and below Not Effective (NE)
Normal: 40% : 5 minutes
24% : 3 minutes
8% : 1 minute

Table 1 shows the degree of

effectiveness of noni leaves in the control of

pediculosis in terms of different

concentrations and length of time.

It shows that in 25% concentration

the shorter the time it is used the more

effective the Noni leaves extract compare to

the 3 and 5 minutes time elapsed. As same

as through with the 50% concentration

wherein in 1 minute the more effective it is

in controlling pediculosis unlike to the 3 and

5 minutes time of used. Likewise, in 75%

concentration it indicates that in 1 minute of

used the more effective the Noni leaves

extract. And in 100% concentration indicates

that in every different length of time used it

gained the same level of effectiveness of

highly effective.
 This implies that the lesser the

concentration, the less effective in

controlling pediculosis. Thus, 100%

concentration is the most effective

concentration in the control of pediculosis.

Moreover, the length of time used will not

determine its effectiveness as it shows that

in 1 minute in the 25%, 50% and 75%

concentration shows a more effective than

in 3 and 5 minutes.

The table indicates that 100%

concentration is the most effective among to

the concentration of 25%, 50% and 75% in

every different time of used (1 minute, 3

minutes and 5 minutes).

SUMMARY

This experimental study focuses on

the effectiveness of noni extract with

different concentrations sprayed to a

number of pediculosis collected in each

elementary student. Also included in this

study were the beneficial components of

noni extract. As sprayed applied to the

collected lice resulted an anti-parasitic

effect. Actions of trial and error were made

to indicate the effectiveness of noni leaves

extract with different concentrations

sprayed to the collected lice in a group of

elementary students.

The gathered data was done on

September 2017. Data observations and

gathering was patterned on a time-based

format to determine how effective the noni

leaves extract in the control of pediculosis.

The pattern of time-based observations was

used by the researchers to indicate how

effective distinct Noni leaves extract

concentrations with different time intervals.

Assessment of inspection was utilized by

the researchers occurred in the experiment.

Written results are put on a data sheet

consisting of the conclusions of the

experiment which includes the efficiency

and tabulations of outcome observed in the

comparison of each noni leaves extract

concentrations.

SALIENT FINDINGS

Certain confirmations and several

researches are accumulated for a superior

result of acquirement in this study.

1. The Noni leaves extract with different

concentrations sprayed to the collected lice.

The extract has varieties of concentrations

which includes the 100% pure extract,

75%,50%, and 25% extract with a mixture of

distilled water. Tested each with different

time intervals which is at 5 minutes, 3

minutes, and 1 minute. It simply estates

that because the extract has higher

concentration, it is said to be the most

effective among the four. The higher the

concentration, the greater the

effectiveness. The lice are known to have

died if it barely moves or no movement at

all by its legs.

2. According to the findings of the

experiment under the 25% Noni extract,

within 1 minute, the number of dead louse

was 2, as of 3 minutes, the number of dead

louse was 4, and at 5 minutes, 5 was

counted dead. Under the 50%

concentration, in 1 minute, 4 lice have been

counted dead, in 3 minutes was 7, and in 5

minutes was 9. Under the 75%

concentration, in one minute, the dead

louse was 5, in 3 minutes was 9, and at 5

minutes was 10. Lastly, under the 100%

concentration pure Noni extract, that in 1

minute, 11 dead lice have been counted, at

3 minutes was 12 dead lice counted, and at

5 minutes was 17. Basing it to the time

interval, the shorter the exposure of spray

to the collected lice the greater the level of

effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

After the brief experimentation,

analysis and interpretation of data were

 conducted, conclusion of the results are as

follows:

1. Based in the study, Noni leaves are

effective in controlling the pediculosis and

prevent further occurences.

2. The high level of effectiveness is based

upon the greater amount of concentration

as sprayed into the collected lice. It is

therefore concluded that the 100% pure

extract of Noni leaves has the highly

effective results. The liquid obtained

through the process of extraction.

3. As based on its time interval, the shorter

the period of exposure of the sprayed

concentration, the more effective.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the findings and conclusions, the

following are recommended:

1. The Barangay Health Workers must have

enough knowledge on how to prepare and

use the Noni Leaves extraction, and inform

it to the community.
2. Department of Health (DOH) should include

Noni Leaves in herbal medicine that was

approved by DOH in the Control of

Pediculosis.

3. Thorough research studies should be done

to determine the effectiveness of Noni

Leaves in the Control of Pediculosis.

4. Peperomia Pellucida therefore must be

recommended as an anti-parasitic

5. Commercial products like shampoo, spray,

and other hair treatments must be utilized

with the constituents of Noni leaves as

treatment in headlice infestation.