CHAPTER I

PROBLEM

INTRODUCTION

Breathing is synonymous with life. The experience of difficulty of breathing is perceived

by the person as a threat to life itself (Quiambao O-udan, 2009 p. 111) . All human beings
experienced cough due to different reasons. Coughing greatly affects the life or activity of daily
living of each and everyone of us. Coughing can either alter level of concentration of a person
thus making him/her unable to perform usual task.

Coughs are often common symptoms caused by many factors. It can result from a
bacterial or viral spread, or can be due to an underlying condition. The seriousness of a cough
depends on the amount and color of sputum, the frequency and the duration of the coughing
episodes. Cough syrups are abundantly available in the market today. But the controversy of
their effectiveness troubles a lot of consumers. Understandably, most cough syrups do have
sedative side effects that can affect your daily activities. Although the drug provides coughing
relief, the use of these over-the-counter drugs should be observed carefully especially when
given to children. A natural way to treat common coughs is to take herbal meds. Although some
people frown on its use, studies and testimonials from other users have found herbal medicine
effective for the treatment and relief of coughing episodes.

Lagundi is a shrub that grows in the Philippines. It is one of the ten herbal medicines
endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health as an effective herbal medicine with proven
therapeutic value. Lagundi has been clinically tested to be effective in the treatment of colds,
flu, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. Studies have shown that Lagundi can
prevent the body’s production of leukotienes which are released during an asthma attack.
Lagundi contains Chrysoplenol D – a substance with anti-histamine properties and muscle
relaxant. (http://www.helium.com/items/929181-lagundi-herbal-medicinal-shrub-from-the-philippines)
Theoretical Framework

LYDIA HALL THEORY She promoted involvement of the community in health-care

issues. She derived from her knowledge of psychiatry and nursing experiences in the Loeb
Center the framework she used in formulating her theory of nursing. The theory contains of three
independent but interconnected circles: the core, the care and the cure. The core is the person or
patient to whom nursing care is directed and needed. The core has goals set by himself and not
by any other person. The core behaved according to his feelings, and value system. The cure is
the attention given to patients by the medical professionals. The theory contains of three
independent but interconnected circles—the core, the care and the cure. According to the theory,
the core is the person or patient to whom nursing care is directed and needed. The core has goals
set by himself and not by any other person, and that these goals need to be achieved. The core, in
addition, behaved according to his feelings, and value system. The cure, on the other hand is the
attention given to patients by the medical professionals. The model explains that the cure circle is
shared by the nurse with other health professionals. These are the interventions or actions geared
on treating or ―curing‖ the patient from whatever illness or disease he may be suffering from.
The care circle explains the role of nurses, and focused on performing that noble task of
nurturing the patients, meaning the component of this model is the ―motherly‖ care provided by
nurses, which may include imited to provision of comfort measures, provision of patient teaching
activities and helping the patient meet their needs where help is needed. It is easy to understand
from the model that in all of the circles of the model, the nurse is always presents the bigger role
she takes belongs to the care circle where she acts a professional in helping the patient meet his
needs and attain a sense of balance.

Conceptual Framework

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

 VITEX
NEGUNDO L. COUGH

Paradigm of the Study

The conceptual framework of the study is based on this paradigm. The input boxes
contain two variables involved in this study. It includes the independent variable which is the
Vitex Negundo L. . The sixty (60) respondents of San Vicente Ilocos Sur are taken. This
independent variable will be assessed in this study to know the effect on the dependent variable
which is the cough.

Statement of the Problem

The study attempt to determine the effectiveness of Vitex Negundo L. or Lagundi in
treating cough among the residents of San Vicente Ilocos Sur. Specifically, the study attempts to
answer the following questions:
 How is the occurrence of cough per month before giving Vitex Negundo L.?
 How is the occurrence of cough per month after giving Vitex Negundo L.?
 Is there any significance difference between the occurrence of cough before and after
giving Vitex Negundo L.?
 How is cough affect your activities of daily living?
 Have you done another treatment in experiencing other respiratory problem?

Hypothesis
In this study, the researchers aim to test this hypothesis.
 There is no significant difference between the frequency of cough before and after giving
Vitex Negundo L.?
 Assumptions
All human being experiences cough due to different reasons. Cough normally occurs to
relieve or remove secretions in the body. Cough affects the well-being of the patient.

Scope and Delimination

This study attempts to determine the effectiveness of Vitex Negundo L. in treating
cough. It involves thirty (30) residents who will receive the treatment and thirty (30) residents
who will not receive the treatment of the residents in San Vicente Ilocos Sur, in a total of sixty
(60) residents. The data will be analyzed in the effectiveness of Vitex Negundo L. among the
respondents.

Significance of the Study

The following persons or groups will benefit from the result of this study:

 Respondents.

 Rural Health Officers and Barangay Officials.

 Researchers.

Definition of Terms

Cough a sudden sharp sounding expulsion of air from the lungs acting as a protective
mechanism to clear the air passages or as a symptom of pulmonary disturbances.

Vitex Negundo L. or Lagundi which is a large shrub that originated in the Philippines. Lagundi is one
of the herbal medicines that have been proven to have therapeutic value.

Occurrence distribution is a matrix or distribution that is defined over an image to be the distribution of
co-occurring values at a given offset.
Breathing means taking in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes.

Frequency the number of occurrences of a periodic process in a unit of time.

Duration is a useful measure of a bond fund's sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

Effectiveness means the capability of producing an effect, and is most frequently used in connection
with the degree to which something is capable of producing a specific, desired effect.

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx as from bacterial infection

Colds is having a relatively low temperature or one that is lower than normal or expected.

Flu any of several virus or bacterial diseases marked especially by respiratory or intestinal
symptoms

Decoction the act or process of boiling usually in water so us to extract the flavor or active
principle.

Experiment the hypothesis or to illustrate a procedure carried out under controlled condition in
order to discover an unknown effect or law, to test or established a known law.

Manipulation means the experimenters do something to the participants in the study.

Control means the experimenters introduce use of control group.

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Lagundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo)

 Lagundi (scientific name: Vitex negundo) is a shrub that grows in the Philippines. It is
one of the ten herbal medicines endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health as an effective
herbal medicine with proven therapeutic value. Commonly known in the Ilocos region as dangla,
lagundi has been clinically tested to be effective in the treatment of colds, flu, bronchial asthma,
chronic bronchitis, and pharyngitis. Studies have shown that Lagundi can prevent the body’s
production of leukotrienes, which are released during an asthma attack. Lagundi contains
Chrysoplenol D, a substance with anti-histamine and muscle relaxant properties. Even in Japan,
lagundi is becoming recognized as an effective herbal medicine, especially since researches have
shown that it contains properties that make it an expectorant and it has been reported to function
as a tonic as well. More than that, most of the parts of the lagundi plant have medicinal value.

The roots of this shrub are also used as treatment for rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, and
leprosy. The leaves, flowers, seeds, and root of Lagundi can all be used as herbal medicine. A
decoction is made by boiling the parts of the plant and taken orally. Today, Lagundi is available
in capsule form and syrup for cough. For its part, the flowers are recommended as a cardiac
tonic, as cure for liver diseases, and other internal disorders such as diarrhea and cholera. The
lagundi plant also has anti-inflammatory functions, and its cooling effects are ideal as treatment
for skin diseases such as leprosy.

Plant Description: The Lagundi plant can grow up to five meters tall. It can be described
as a cross between a shrub and a tree with a single woody stem (trunk). One of Lagundi’s
distinctive features is its pointed leaves with five leaflets set like a hand.

Herbal Benefits of Lagundi:

 Relief of asthma & pharyngitis

 Recommended relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils, diarrhea
 Treatment of cough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders
 Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox
 Removal of worms, and boils

Preparation & Use:

  Boil half cup of chopped fresh or dried leaves in 2 cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Drink half cup three times a day.
 For skin diseases or disorders, apply the decoction of leaves and roots directly on skin.
 The root is specially good for treating dyspepsia, worms, boils, colic and rheumatism.

A decoction (boiling in water) of the roots and leaves of Lagundi are applied to wounds, and
used as aromatic baths for skin diseases. Boiled seeds are eaten in order to prevent the spreading
of toxins and venom from bites of poisonous animals. Juice extracted from the flowers of
Lagundi plant is taken in as an aid for disorders like fever, diarrhea, liver disorders, and even
cholera. While a decoction of the plant leaves is suggested to be taken by individuals to help
increase the flow and production of milk, as well as to induce menstruation.
(http://www.agripinoy.net/medicinal-plants-lagundi-vitex-negundo.html)

Benefits:
• Relief of asthma and pharyngitis
• Relief of rheumatism, dyspepsia, boils diarrhea (roots)
• Treatment of chough, colds, fever and flu and other bronchopulmonary disorders
• Alleviate symptoms of Chicken Pox
• Removal of worms and boils

Studies
Anti-Venom: Snake venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plants (Vitex negundo and
Emblica officinalis) root extracts: A methanolic extract study of VN showed it possesses potent
snake venom neutralizing capacity and suggests further investigation.
Anti-Inflammatory: Vitex negundo Linn (VN) leaf extract as an adjuvant therapy to standard
anti-inflammatory drugs: VN significantly potentiated anti-inflammatory activity of
phenylbutazone and ibuprofen in albino rats.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Anti-inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of Action of Vitex
negundo Linn: Study suggests VN possess anti-imflammatory activity against acute and sub-
acute inflammation probably due to prostaglandin inhibition and reduction of oxidative stress.
Antibacterial: Essential oil composition and antibacterial studies of Vitex negundo linn.
extracts: : Study showed the essential oils and extracts to have antibacterial activity. Ethyl
acetate and ethanol extracts showed prominent antibacterial activity against all tested strains.
Antifungal: (1) New antifungal flavonoid glycoside from Vitex negundo: Study found a new
isolated flavone glycoside and a known compound to have significant antifungal activity against
Tricophyton mentagrophytes and Cryptococcus neoformans. (2) Ethanol extract of fruit seeds
showed significant activity against Fusarium solani and moderate response against Microsporum
canis with no effect against C albicans.
Larvicidal: Differential larvicidal efficacy of four species of Vitex against Culex
quinquefasciatus larvae: The methanolic extracts of all Vitex species showed varying levels of
larvicidal activity.
Anthelmintic: Study of ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vitex negundo on
anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Pheritima posthuma showed both to have dose
dependent activity, with Moringa oleifera showing more activity.

Preparation
How to make lagundi syrup
• Clean fresh lagundfi leaves and chop.
• In 4 glasses of water, boil 4 tablespoons of minced lagundi leaves for 50 minutes.
• Strain the liquid extract and add 1 part honey to 4 parts extracts.
• Boil in an earthen pot or enamel-lined saucepan for 15 minutes until the desired viscosity is
attained; cool.
• Pour the syrup in clear amber-colored bottles.
(http://alternativeremedies.wordpress.com/category/cough)

Coughs

Cough are often common symptoms caused by many factors. It can result from a
bacterial or viral spread, or can be due to an underlying condition. The seriousness of a cough
depends on the amount and color of sputum, the frequency and the duration of the coughing
episodes. Cough syrups are abundantly available in the market today. But the controversy of
their effectiveness troubles a lot of consumers. Understandably, most cough syrups do have
sedative side effects that can affect your daily activities. Although the drug provides coughing
relief, the use of these over-the-counter drugs should be observed carefully especially when
given to children.

Cough medications come in different classes: antitussiives, expectorants, mucolytics, and

suppressants. Antitussives are specially formulated to prevent the coughing action. Expectorants
contribute to the expulsion of phlegm from the airway passages. Mucolytics are intended to
unclog the respiratory passages by ―melting‖ the mucus and phlegm. Suppressants act on coughs
by suppressing the coughing reflex.

A natural way to treat common coughs is to take herbal meds. Although some people
frown on its use, studies and testimonials from other users have found herbal medicine effective
for the treatment and relief of coughing episodes. Still, precaution should be practiced, and you
should get advice from medical experts to check if you bear allergies to these herbs. Here are the
commonly used herbs for coughs:

(Premna odorata) The alagaw is a herbal plant from the Philippines that is used to loosen
phlegm and relieve coughs. Fresh alagaw leaves with sugar for taste are boiled in water.
Drinking this concoction will relieve coughing.(Echinacea angustifolia/E. pallida/E. purpurea)
This is a highly recommendable herb for colds, cough and flu especially for those who reside in
North America and Europe. This herb alleviates cough in tincture form. (Eucalyptus globules)
The essential oil found in eucalyptus acts to loosen the phlegm within the air passages. Inhaling
eucalyptus vapors can help treat coughs. It is recommended to use fresh leaves in teas or gargles
to soothe irritated throats brought by coughs. Also, ointments containing this herb can be applied
to chest area to relieve congestion.(Vitex negundo L) Lagundi is recognized as an effective
expectorant. It is a common herbal plant found in the Philippines. The dried or fresh lagundi
leaves are boiled. Drinking this concoction will yield cough and asthma relief.
(http://alternativeremedies.wordpress.com/category/cough)

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 This chapter presents a discussion of the research design, population sample data, data
gathering tools, sampling design and statistical treatment used in the study.

Methods of Research
The experimental method of research was used to determine the effectiveness of Vitex
Negundo L. in treatment of cough of the residents in San Vicente Ilocos Sur specifically in the 4
rural barangays in which will get the files at the Rural Health and with the cooperation Barangay
Officials. Such data were organized and presented systematically. Experimental research is the
conscious introduction of a treatment/experiment to a group of respondents for the purpose of
testing of cause and effect relationship.

Population and Sampling

The researchers made use of purposive sampling technique. The respondents of this study
will those who have cough who reside in San Vicente Ilocos Sur. Since there are only few who
have cough . The researchers choose thirty (30) residents who will receive the treatment and
thirty (30) residents who will not receive the treatment, in a total of sixty (60) residents.

Data Gathering Instruments