CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Its Setting This chapter presents the introduction, background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives, significance, scope and delimitations of the study, definition of terms, review of related literature and study, research method, instruments and techniques used, sampling procedure, statistical treatment for the study and presentation of data gathered.

Introduction The study is about ‘Aratilis Ointment’. The raw material is the herbal plant, Aratilis which will become a form of ointment after processing. Aratilis (Muntingia Calabura known in the Philippines as “aratilis”, “aratiles” or “saresa”) is a widely cultivated fruit-bearing tree which is abundant in tropical countries such as the Philippines. It strives in soil despite of acidity rates that most plants can’t survive on and normally grows in roadsides, open grasslands, mountains, and backyards- almost anywhere in every province in the archipelago. It is a small tree 7–12 meters tall with tiered and slightly drooping branches. It has serrated leaves 2.5–15 cm long and 1–6.5 cm wide. The flowers are small, white and slightly malodorous. It gives rise to 1–1.5 cm light red fruit. The fruit is edible, sweet and juicy, and contains a large number of tiny (0.5 mm) yellow seeds. It is a pioneer species that thrives in poor soil, able to tolerate acidic and alkaline conditions and drought. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and fruit bats. It is cultivated for its edible fruit, and has become naturalized in some other parts of the tropics, including southeastern Asia. As a pioneer plant, it could help condition the soil and make it habitable to other plants. However, it might also be considered as an invasive species since it might out-compete indigenous plants.1
ARATILES Muntingia Calabura is the one of herbal medicine