Homemade

Antibiotic
Ointment
Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords Academy, Inc.
9 - Colossians

Investigators:
Ivan Bernas Mary Joyce Jabonero
Adrielle Caguiat Alyssa Orense
Shaun Frani Aleezah Salcedo
Nicholai Santos

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I. Problem and Hypothesis

Problem

 Topical antibiotics like Neosporin has neomycin in its ingredients. This neomycin causes

neomycin allergies that is common and appears that more people are becoming sensitive

to it.

 Widespread use of topical antibiotics have caused a number of organisms to become

antibiotic-resistant, this causes antibiotics to be less effective.

Hypothesis

 If natural ingredients were used to make antibiotic ointments, we will lessen the numbers

of allergies produced since there are few people allergic to plants.

 If natural ingredients were used to make antibiotic ointments, we will lessen the usage of

chemically made store bought antibiotics that causes antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

II. Background Research

Topical Antibiotics

Topical antibiotics help prevent infections caused by bacteria that get into minor cuts, scrapes, and

burns. These are medicines applied to the skin to kill bacteria. Some topical antibiotics are

available without a prescription and are sold in many forms, including creams, ointments, powders,

and sprays. Some widely used topical antibiotics are bacitracin, neomycin, mupirocin, and

polymyxin B. Among the products that contain one or more of these ingredients are Bactroban (a

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prescription item), Neosporin, Polysporin, and Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Cream. These are

typically prepared in a petroleum jelly base and applied to a wound underneath a bandage. These

types of topical antibiotics are excellent for promoting healing by keeping the wound moist,

decreasing scar formation by promoting more rapid epithelialization of the wound base (if the

laceration is small), and they help keep bacteria and other contaminants out, so if applied correctly

and under a bandage, they can be quite effective.

Risk of Topical Antibiotics

So, in the face of this evidence above, it would seem that topical antibiotics are actually excellent

for the promotion of healing minor cuts and abrasions rather than being bad for you, right? Well,

for the most part, but there are some precautions which should be observed when you use antibiotic

creams or ointments for the prevention or treatment of infection. Yes, treating minor wounds with

antibiotics allows quicker healing. But, if the wounds are left untreated, the bacteria will multiply,

causing pain, redness, swelling, itching, and oozing. Untreated infections can eventually spread

and become much more serious. The neomycin found in triple antibiotic can result in allergic

contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed allergic reaction that occurs within 24

to 48 hours of exposure to triple antibiotic. This allergic reaction typically results in redness or

inflammation in the area of the skin exposed to this medication. A rash or skin lesion involved

with localized swelling and itching is also common. The lesions may involve oozing of fluids, and

eventually, crusting. The intense itching, and crusting of the lesions leaves the affected areas raw,

scaly, and thick. Also the topical antibiotic contributes to antibiotic resistance which is consider as

crisis in the field of medicine.

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 Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is becoming a crisis and according to many experts the growing inability of

antibiotics to effectively treat illnesses owing to antimicrobial resistance is one of medicine’s most

significant challenges of the new century. Not only have antibiotics been oversubscribed, but

according to research, the amount of antibiotics consumed by livestock is increasing year on year.

Widespread use of antibiotics have caused a number of organisms to become antibiotic-resistant,

this causes antibiotics to be less effective, and forces drug companies to need to develop new

products to still be effective on the rapidly adapting bacteria that antibiotics target. If you use

antibiotic cream on every little cut and scrape, this may help to contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Another cause of antibiotic resistance is persons not completing a prescription. If prescribed oral

or topical antibiotics you should use the entire prescription as prescribed by the physician, if not

this will contribute to the organisms becoming resistant to the medications. Just because you feel

better or the wound looks better doesn’t mean the bacteria has been killed off entirely, and any

remaining may become resistant to the medication should it be passed on to someone else, then if

they and the next person and so-on do the same, the organism becomes very resistant. If this

process continues, one certain strain of bacteria may become impervious to any known antibiotic.

So if you’re having a question in mind such as “are topical antibiotics bad for me?” The answer

is, in the short term they are good for healing minor cuts and abrasions, but if misused in the long

term, they may do far more harm than any good.

Why Use Natural Healing Ointment?

Natural wound healing ointments do not contribute to the issue of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

An antibiotic is basically a single active compound, one specially constructed molecule that

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happens to kill bacteria, or send messages that kill bacteria. An essential oil, on the other hand, is

an extraction of many (but not all) of the compounds in a plant. An essential oil usually has a few

hundred different compounds in it, which plays to our advantage in the war on antibiotic resistant

bacteria. Because the oils are more complicated, the bacteria have to be adapted to resist

manyforms of attack at once for any single oil, and there are quite a few essential oils with

antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, so it’s really a simple win of quantity. The oils have

the numbers on their side, and the antibiotics are deadly and powerful, but don’t have the depth

of variation.

Ingredients We Can Use in Making Natural Antibiotic Ointment and Its Benefit

Essential oils and other natural ingredients known for their antimicrobial properties are a great way

to fight bacteria without experiencing the severe side effects of antibiotics. Below are the uses of

the materials used in making the experiment:

 Coconut oil is a great anti-microbial base upon which to build your ointment. The vitamin

E, an antioxidant, in coconut oil accelerates the healing time and prevents new scars from

forming

 Oregano Oil is a powerful anti-microbial oil, it’s a ruthless germ killer and provides

wonderful immune support also helps to minimize the bacteria’s ability to do create toxins

that can be severely hazardous to human health

 Lemongrass is great for treating wounds preventing them from getting septic. In fact,

lemongrass is a common ingredient in many commercial lotions and creams used to cuts

and wounds.

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  Raw, unfiltered honey is an effective antiseptic treatment for topical wounds, burns or

scrapes and helps inhibit the growth of bacteria it is also a natural moisturizer, making it

an effective scar removal treatment

 Aloe vera is a natural scar removal remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial

properties.

Sources:

https://healthyfocus.org/8-powerful-antibacterial-essential-oils/
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/homemade-antiseptic/
https://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-forscar-removal.html
https://frugallysustainable.com/building-your-medicine-chest-first-aid-antiseptic-ointment/
https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/acne-2/are-topical-antibiotics-bad-for-you/
https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Topical+Antibiotics
https://www.livestrong.com/article/534542-allergies-to-triple-antibiotic-cream/
https://www.curoxen.com/blog/triple-antibiotic-ointments-versus-natural-ointments/
https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/essential-oils-antibiotic-resistance/
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/473/

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III. Experimental Design/Materials/Procedure

Materials

 Oregano  Aloe vera

 Lemongrass  Coconut Oil

 Honey  Beeswax

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 Procedure

1. Wash the oregano and lemongrass thoroughly to remove dirt.

2. Place oregano and lemongrass in a bowl of coconut oil. Soak for an hour.

3. In a pan pour the coconut oil with oregano and lemongrass, heat in a low fire for a

minute.

4. Remove from pan. Let it cool for 2 minutes and so.

5. Squeeze the oregano and lemongrass to extract its juice.

6. Add the aloe vera. Mix well

7. Add the beeswax and honey

8. Put in a container. Let it set for a while.

IV. Variables and Sample size

Independent Dependent Controlled

Amount of Ointment Length of Wound Type of Ointment

Effectiveness of Ointment Healing time of Wound When to apply ointment in

the wounds

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V. Data Collection

Days Passed Until It Heals

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0
Neighbor 1 Neighbor 2 Neighbor 3 Neighbor 4 Neighbor 5

Homemade Antibiotic Store Bought Antibiotic

In the data we collected 3 out of 5 respondence said that the homemade antibiotic ointment made

their wound heal faster. This shows that the homemade antibiotic ointment is more effective than

the store bought antibiotic ointment.

Price of Antibiotics per 10mL

200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Category 1

Homemade Antibiotic Ointment Store Bought Antibiotic Ointment

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In this data it clearly shows that homemade antibiotic ointment is cheaper that store bought

antibiotic ointment.

VI. Analysis and Summary

Analysis

Homemade antibiotic product are easier to make and has a lot of benefits with less side effects.

We can say that this is better than the other topical antibiotics.

Summary

Topical antibiotics are widely used today in healing wounds, however it has its negative side

effects such as antibiotic resistance and allergic reactions. Using natural ingredients we can

lessen the bad attributes of topical antibiotics. That’s why we made an alternative product that is

cheaper compared to store bought antibiotic ointment and could be proven better in healing

wounds and has no much side effects. In the data we collected most of it is in favor that the the

homemade antibiotic ointment is better.

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