Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil as an Effective Nasal Decongestant to Grade 11 Students

at St. Anne’s Catholic School Inc.

12 St. John XXIII: Group I

Afable, Anne Charley B.

Ang, Denise Rain G.

Bernabe, Shawn Deniel L.

Caparas, Angela T.

Cunanan, Oliver M.

Dela Cruz, Sophia Lauren V.

Fernandez, Denise Faith S.

Flores, Johann George J.

Onciangco, Zymon Yvan M.

Salamat, Jastine B.
 CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Sudden shifts of environmental climate in the Philippines can cause adverse effects on
human health as it needs careful attention as diseases or illnesses that ranges from easily
treatable to possibly life threatening may be on the rise. One of the most common illnesses
that these changes bring upon to humans is nasal congestion. As elucidated by Asztalos
(2016) nasal congestion creates an environment where it hampers the ability to inhale the
appropriate amount of oxygen to the body, hence consequently affecting the respiratory
system of the body making it challenging to breathe.

Expressions such as "Hirap huminga." "Nakakainis naman 'tong sipon." "Sana

mawala na ito!" encapsulates the common sentiments that you may hear from an individual
that is suffering from nasal congestion. Breathing, being an autonomic function, when
disturbed, creates an inconvenience to one's daily activities and to its well-being. "Hirap
huminga" conveys the inability to inhale properly as the congestion affects the breathing of
the person. "Nakakainis naman 'tong sipon" reflects the annoyance of having nasal
congestion as it affects the natural rhythm of life, and "Sana mawala na ito!" Echoes the
desire relief. These statements encapsulate the need of an individual to be alleviated from the
consequences that nasal congestion causes as it affects the individuals' quality of life. In
essence, the effects of these changes open a web of health-related problems that need to be
addressed properly and require proactive measures.
 A nasal inhaler, described as a device by means of which medicinal material is
inhaled (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) is widely used even dating back to ancient civilization.
Inhaling aromatic substances was practiced by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians for
medicinal and therapeutic purposes. But now in the modern age nasal inhalers have now
evolved and have now been used for relaxation, congestion relief, and for other therapeutic
medications. Nasal inhalers are built with a compact body that is very portable and easy to
use, making it an easy quick remedy for people who have congestion or for people who want
aromatic therapy.
Extracted from the peppermint plant, peppermint oil produces a cooling sensation that
when inhaled, brings comfort to individuals. As stated by Briggs et al. (2016) peppermint oil
inhalation is a viable first-line treatment for nasal problems. With a solid foundation of
medical evidence, peppermint oil has emerged as a compelling choice for the inhaler to be
deemed effective as a decongestant.

Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil is a herbal oil that is usually used for skin conditions like
acne because of its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties as stated by
Carson et al. (2006) these properties can potentially assist in fighting infections. The herbal
nature of this oil makes it suitable for inhalation, addressing nasal problems effectively while
emphasizing the importance of herbal remedies. If the properties of the tea tree oil are
effective, it can be a necessary ingredient to use to fight against congestion.

This study endeavors to investigate the efficacy of Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil as
ingredients to alleviate nasal congestion. Both Peppermint and Tea Tree Oil are backed up
with medical evidence that they bring positive results to the table regarding congestion relief.
Through appropriate tests, this study hoped to contribute valuable insights into their potential
as effective remedies.

Statement of the problem

 The problem to be addressed through this study is the efficacy of peppermint oil and
tea tree oil as decongestant ingredients for nasal inhaler in helping reduce and relieve nasal
congestion among grade 11 students of St. Anne’s Catholic School.

Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How may the combination of tea tree oil and peppermint oil as ingredients be
described based on the following dimensions:
a. Effectiveness;
b. Safety considerations; and
c. Duration of relief?
2. How may the satisfaction of the grade 11 students after using the inhaler be stated?
3. How does the frequency of using a nasal inhaler with peppermint oil and tea tree oil as
ingredients affect the reduction of nasal congestion among grade 11 students?

Hypothesis
H0 - Peppermint Oil and Tea Tree Oil are not effective nasal decongestants.
H1 - Peppermint Oil and Tea Tree Oil are effective nasal decongestants.

Conceptual Framework

Profile of Respondents:
 Statistical analysis of  Effective nasal
a. Age data inhaler
b. Having an allergy  Administering of  Better quality of
questionnaires the product
c. weather
 Tabulation of
students’ responses
 Figure 1. This model was meant to represent the three-stage system (input, process,
and output) and focuses on two main variables (independent and dependent variables). The
independent variable in this study is nasal congestion, and the dependent variable is nasal
inhaler. This study's input comprises the profiles of the respondents, who will be the
participants. The researcher begins the approach by utilizing statistical analysis data,
questionnaires, and student responses to quickly determine who will be suitable to participate
in the nasal inhaler for congested noses study. The output intends to provide a favorable
result from the nasal inhaler for congested noses; through the output, we will learn about the
nasal inhaler's effectiveness and enhance its quality.

Significance of the study

This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of peppermint oil and tea tree oil as nasal
inhaler, aiming to determine their efficacy in relieving and reducing the frequency of nasal
congestion among grade 11 students at St. Anne's Catholic School.

The result of this study will be helpful to the following:

Students: The primary beneficiaries are the grade 11 students experiencing nasal
congestion. If the study proves effective, they may benefit from improved nasal health and
potentially enhanced focus and comfort during classes which could positively impact their
overall academic experience.
 Teachers: Teachers may benefit indirectly by having students who are more attentive
in class due to reduced nasal congestion, potentially creating a better learning environment.
Teachers might observe better focus and participation when students are not hindered by
nasal congestion.
Parents: If the nasal inhaler proves effective, parents of the students may benefit by
having a natural remedy for their children's nasal congestion, potentially reducing the need
for over-the-counter medications.

Public Health: If the research identifies effective nasal decongestion, this knowledge
can extend beyond the school context and be applied by a broader population, contributing to
public health practices. Which can lead to widespread relief, making nasal decongestion
management more accessible for everyone and contributing to the community's well-being,
ensuring a sense of relief for individuals facing nasal congestion issues.

Less fortunate: If the study leads to the development of cost-effective and accessible
solutions, it can benefit individuals who may face financial constraints in accessing
conventional medications. By providing relief and promoting health in a more affordable
manner. If proven effective, this research has the potential to positively impact the well-being
of those who are less fortunate.

Healthcare Professionals: If the study demonstrates the efficacy of peppermint oil and
tea tree oil as a nasal inhaler, healthcare professionals may incorporate this information into
their toolkit of recommendations, offering patients a broader range of options for managing
nasal congestion.

Definition of terms

Nasal Congestion: According to Webster's Dictionary, nasal congestion happens

when something irritates the tissues lining the inside of your nose. The irritation sets off a
chain reaction of inflammation, swelling, and mucus production, making it hard to take in air
through your nose. It is also a feeling of fullness in the nose or face, and it is often called a
stuffy nose. In this study, it is the problem that most students suffer from that limits them
from doing their best in school while at the same time being a problem in their everyday
lives. And it is what we're trying to resolve by using our product.

Adverse effects - In the medical field, an adverse effect is a harmful, undesirable

effect that results from a medication or other intervention such as surgery. Incorrect dosage or
medical procedure, an allergic reaction, etc, can cause them. (Embogama,2015)

Elucidated - Elucidate comes from the Latin term lucidus, which means "lucid."
Lucidus, in turn, comes from the verb lucēre, meaning "to shine." Which basically means to
give a clarifying explanation. (Merriam-Webster,n.d.)

Autonomic functions - Autonomic functions are involuntary body functions that are
regulated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The autonomic nervous system is a
network of nerves that regulates unconscious body processes. The autonomic system is the
part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for regulating involuntary body functions,
such as heartbeat, blood flow, breathing, and digestion. (Cherry,2023)

Inconvenience - As a noun, anything that is inconvenient or the quality or state of

being inconvenient. As a verb, it means to cause problems or trouble for: to be
inconvenienced. (Merriam-Webster,n.d.)

Proactive measures - Proactive measures are actions taken to prevent or reduce the
impact of a problem before it happens. (Collins Dictionary,n.d.)
 Decongestants - A decongestant is a medication that clears up congestion.
Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or
stuffy nose (nasal congestion). (Herndon, 2023)

Congestion - Nasal congestion is caused by irritation in the sinuses, often due to a

virus such as one that causes the common cold. The buildup of mucus in your sinuses creates
pressure, which can lead to other symptoms like headaches and runny nose. (Herndon, 2023)

Efficacy - Efficacy means the ability of something to produce the intended result or
how well a treatment or drug works under controlled conditions. It can also mean the quality
of being effective or effectiveness. (Merriam-Webster,n.d.)

Hamper - Hamper can be a verb or a noun, depending on the context. As a verb, it

means to make something more difficult or prevent something from happening easily.
(Merriam-Webster,n.d.)

Viable - Viable means capable of doing what it is intended to do. It can also mean
workable, practical, or suitable. (Merriam-Webster,n.d.)

Compelling - Compelling means that something is very powerful, convincing, or

attractive and makes you want to accept it, do it, or watch it. (Merriam-Webster,n.d.)

Scope and Delimitation

In this research study the researchers will be determining the effectivity of peppermint
and tea tree oil to combat nasal congestion among grade 11 students in St. Anne's Catholic
School Inc. The scope of the study assesses factors such as what will be the potential reaction
of the participant to the inhaler, how frequently is the inhaler being used and how long is the
participant exposed to the inhaler. Delimitation is properly conducted to ensure accurate data
analysis and collection as the researchers will be excluding students with known allergies
with the said ingredients, students with history or with allergic rhinitis, and students that are
not included within the level range.