Investigatory Project in Science Biology (Improvised Apparatus)
Investigatory Project Report-Science
-
Upload
angelika-camille-salazar-leeping -
Category
Documents
-
view
385 -
download
2
Transcript of Investigatory Project Report-Science
Abstract
Cough is very common to all of us, and there are a lot of remedies to relieve cough. We
want to find out if onion can be a suitable remedy for cough. The onion medicine can either work
or not work. A fellow group mate, who recently has cough, will be our patient. The onion
medicine is made up of red onion and sugar and mixed up in any container. After the first day of
taking the medicine, our group mate, he begins to expel more phlegm in the lungs. And after the
second day, he reports that his cough has finally stopped. Therefore, the onion medicine worked,
because he has no cough anymore.
1
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following people for helping us in our study:
Ma’am Mae and Ma’am Rachel; for guiding us on what we should do and helping us in
things we can’t or need to understand.
Our Parents; for supporting us in this investigatory project and helping us in new ideas or
suggestions.
Our Group mates; for cooperating and giving their best effort to make this project a
success.
The Science department; for giving us the opportunity to make this investigatory project
for us to learn more and to develop a scientific mind.
And especially to God; for enriching our minds and for leading us to this topic that we
have decided, and also for his support and blessings.
2
Chapter One
Introduction
A. Background of the Study:
Cough is an action your body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating to your air
passages. The cause of a cough is dependent upon how long the symptom has been present. The
onion (Allium cepa), which is also known as the bulb onion, common onion and garden onion, is
the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. In this relation, we want to find out if
onions can relieve a person’s cough. In this study, we will use onions, because they are often
used in other countries as a remedy for colds, and also sugar to enhance the taste of the medicine.
B. Statement of the Problem:
We want to know if onion can relieve a person’s cough. We will find a person who
currently has cough and give him/her our homemade onion syrup. And after, we will monitor
his/her health, particularly his/her cough, for two days.
C. Hypotheses:
Null Hypothesis – The onion syrup may not work and the patient’s coughing will continue.
Alternative Hypothesis – The onion syrup may work and the patient’s coughing will stop.
D. Objectives:
This study intends to determine the curative potential of onion (Allium cepa) mixed with
sugar, given to a person who has cough, for two days.
3
Specifically, we will mix red onions and sugar in a jar, and keep in a refrigerator until
juice begins to appear. Then give to the person and monitor their cough for a day.
E. Significance of the Study:
This study will help us to know if an onion can actually relieve coughing. If this study
will turn out in a good way, there will be no need to buy expensive medicines or have a hard
time finding other medicinal plants; all is already in your kitchen shelf.
F. Scope and Limitations:
This study is limited only to the treatment of dry cough due to changing temperatures.
The only onion that will be used is Red Onion. The time of taking the medicine will vary as long
as patient will follow the 6 hour rule.
G. Definition of Terms:
1. Onion - a plant, Allium cepa, of the amaryllis family
2. Relieve – to ease or alleviate
3. Cough - to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise
4. Homemade - prepared at home
5. Monitor – to observe or record
6. Enhance - to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify
7. Constructed - to build or form by putting together parts
8. Trigger – to become active; activate
9. Tearing - violent or hasty
10. Phlegm - the thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages and discharged through
the mouth, especially that occurring in the lungs and throat passages, as during a cold
4
Chapter Two
Review of Related Literature
A cough is an action your body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating to your air
passages, which carry the air you breathe in from the nose and mouth to the lungs. A cough
occurs when special cells along the air passages get irritated and trigger a chain of events. The
result? Air in your lungs is forced out under high pressure.
(www.emedicinehealth.com, 2012)
A dry cough refers to a cough that does not produce mucus (also known as phlegm or
sputum). A cough is your body’s defensive reflex that functions to keep your airways clear of
irritating or obstructing substances so you can breathe effectively. Over time, a dry cough can
often become a productive cough as the lungs produce more sputum.
(www.bettermedicine.com/article/dry-cough, 2012)
Onion juice mixed with sugar helps to break down mucus, thus helping against coughs
and colds, and respiratory problems. Also useful in fighting infection, reduce fever, and other flu
symptoms. This mixture is particularly helpful with asthma, taken three or four times a day will
help to stave off attacks. (dianew.hubpages.com/hub/onionhowhealthy, 2010)
Onion will relieve coughs that cause a ripping or tearing pain in the throat or a cough that
is merely an irritating dry tickle. (Wilson, 2010)
Wide-ranging claims have been made for the effectiveness of onions against conditions
ranging from the common cold to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other diseases. They
contain chemical compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, anticancer, and
antioxidant properties, such as quercetin. Preliminary studies have shown increased consumption
of onions reduces the risk of head and neck cancers. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion, 2009)
Quercetin is a type of plant-based chemical, or phytochemical, known as a flavonoid.
Good sources include apples, onions, teas, red wines, and many other foods. Quercetin is also
available as a dietary supplement. It appears to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties. It has been promoted as being effective against a wide variety of diseases.
(www.cancer.org, 2012)
5
Chapter Three
Methodology
Materials:
-10 grms. of red onions (2 small red onions)
-4 tbps of brown sugar
-Any Container
Procedure:
1. We washed and peeled two red onions. Then we sliced them in half, and then cut each half
into 4 pieces.
2. After that we arranged some pieces of onion into the bottom of the container and cover
with an equal layer of sugar. We did this step over and over until the entire onion was
constructed in a bowl with layers of sugar.
3. Then we allowed the sweetened onion to rest in the container overnight, because we did
this at night. On the following day, we had about a cup or more of sweetened syrup in our
container.
Dosage:
The person will take this onion medicine every six hours.
6
Chapter Four
Data and Results
The patient, aka Pete, started coughing on February 15, 2012. He had a dry cough and
had difficulty releasing phlegm. On February 22, 2012, he started to take the onion medicine.
This medicine was taken every 6 hours, starting from 8 am to 8 pm (3 doses). Immediately after
the 1st day, his difficulty of releasing the phlegm has lessened, but he started to have a runny
nose. After the second day, he reported that his coughing has stopped, yet he still has a runny
nose.
His Condition During the Taking of Medicine.
DATE CONDITION
February 15, 2012 Has a dry cough and has difficulty releasing
phlegm.
February 22, 2012 Started to take the onion medicine.
February 23, 2012 Reported that difficulty of releasing phlegm
has lessened. Started to have runny nose.
Stopped taking the onion medicine
February 24, 2012 Reported that his cough has stopped, yet still
has runny nose.
7
Chapter Five
Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions:
We therefore conclude that onion can relieve a person coughing, because the patient’s
coughing stop.
Recommendations:
We strongly recommend that, the future investigators who have the same topic as ours,
give more doses to their patient. And also, that they find ways to eliminate the smell of the onion
so that it would be attractive to people.
8
Bibliography:
(http://dianew.hubpages.com/hub/onionhowhealthy, 2010)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion, 2009)
(http://www.livestrong.com/article/178999-household-remedies-for-cough, 2010)
(http://vintagesavoirfaire.com/2011/10/onion-cough-syrup/, 2011)
(http://www.herballegacy.com/Wilson_Chemical.html, 2010)
(http://www.emedicinehealth.com/coughs/article_em.htm, 2012)
(http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/dry-cough, 2012)
(http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMe
dicine/DietandNutrition/quercetin, 2012)
(http://allergies.about.com/od/lungallergies/a/cough.htm, 2012)
(http://dictionary.reference.com/, 2012)
9
10