Efficacy of ligas (Semecarpus cuneiformis Blanco) ground leaves and virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) as a topical remedy for eczema
Zhiena Jhoy D. Caldito, Agatha Faith U. Arvesu & Jan Shealtiel P. Besa
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of a topical remedy formulated with ligas ground leaves and virgin coconut oil (VCO) in managing eczema symptoms compared to a commercially available remedy containing topical steroids. A repeated measures design was employed, with five participants applying the ligas ground leaves and VCO topical remedy to the affected area of their skin and the commercial treatment to a different affected area for five days. Participants completed a survey questionnaire for sensory evaluation of treatment in terms of safety and usability and provided photographs of their eczema symptoms for a visual assessment of improvement. They also recorded the number of days it took for their eczema to heal. Data were analyzed using t-tests, mean percentage, and standard deviation to determine the difference between the two treatments. The t-test results indicated that the calculated t-computed value accepted the null hypothesis (Ho) at the 0.05 significance level, suggesting no statistically significant difference between the ligas ground leaves and VCO as a topical remedy and the commercial treatment in terms of healing progress in the surface area, the number of days it takes for the target condition to heal, safety, and usability of the product. Hence, the topical remedy made from ligas leaves and VCO has the same efficacy as the commercial remedy in treating eczema. Further studies of ligas leaves in the medical field are highly encouraged to add to the limited literature exploring the benefits of ligas.
Keywords
eczema, topical remedy, ligas, virgin coconut oil
Author information & Contribution
Zhiena Jhoy D. Caldito. Corresponding author. Grade 10 student at Plaridel Integrated National High School. Email: zhienajhoy07@gmail.com
Agatha Faith U. Arvesu. Grade 10 student at Plaridel Integrated National High School
Jan Shealtiel P. Besa. Grade 10 student at Plaridel Integrated National High School
"All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines of Plaridel Integrated National High School. The conduct of this study has been approved and given relative clearance(s) by Plaridel Integrated National High School and the Purok 2, Brgy Taytay Nagcarlan, Laguna.
Data and Materials Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
AI Declaration
The author declares the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in writing this paper. In particular, the author used QuillBot in paraphrasing ideas. The author takes full responsibility in ensuring proper review and editing of contents generated using AI.
Notes
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Caldito, Z.J.D., Arvesu, A.F.U. & Besa, J.S.P. (2025). Efficacy of ligas (Semecarpus cuneiformis Blanco) ground leaves and virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) as a topical remedy for eczema. Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Medical Research, 1(1), 93-110. https://doi.org/10.53378/jahsmr.353171
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
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