ABSTRACT
In the Philippines, pruritus is a prevalent issue exacerbated by the tropical climate and environmental variables. The combination of elevated temperatures and humidity often leads to excessive sweating, resulting in skin irritation and subsequent itching. Furthermore, exposure to various allergens such as dust, pollen, mold, and insects can incite allergic reactions and skin infections, further exacerbating pruritic manifestations. Nevertheless, the country’s abundant biodiversity presents a unique opportunity for the exploration of traditional herbal remedies. With the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recording approximately 13,500 plant species, of which 1,500 are acknowledged for their medicinal attributes, the Philippines harbors a rich reservoir of potential solutions for pruritic conditions. One such plant, Lantana camara, commonly referred to as “Kantutay” are traditionally used in herbal medicines, giving the researchers the opportunity to examine the efficacy of Lantana camara leaf ointment in treating pruritic skin conditions. The ointment, derived from the leaves of L. camara, was formulated and tested over a one-week period. Components of the leaves were identified to include saponins, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, and alkaloids. The ointment was prepared by extracting oil from L. camara leaves, mixing with beeswax and oil, and solidifying the mixture. The effectiveness of the ointment was assessed using one-way with repeated measures ANOVA. Results indicate a significant reduction in rash severity scores over time (p = 0.006), suggesting the efficacy of L. camara leaf ointment in alleviating pruritic skin conditions. However, the interaction between time and concentration was not significant (p = 0.152), indicating that varying concentrations did not significantly affect the rate of rash healing. Further research is recommended to explore additional variables, such as treatment duration and frequency, and to compare the efficacy of L. camara leaf ointment with existing treatments.