Sources: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6783128-tawatawa-weed-a-cure-for-dengue http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Tawa-Tawa-A-Medicine/451174 http://www.foodrecap.net/health/gatas-gatas-others/ http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/11139/%E2%80%98tawa-tawa%E2%80%99-studied-in-fight-against-dengue

Tawa Tawa ( Euphorbia hirta Linn)As Alternative Cure For Dengue Fever

INTRODUCTION:
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that has become a major international public health concern. Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas.
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), a potentially lethal complication, was first recognized in the 1950’s during dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand. DHF affects most Asian countries and has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children. There are four distinct, but closely related, viruses that cause dengue. Recovery from infection by one provides lifelong immunity against that virus but confers only partial and transient protection against subsequent infection by the other three viruses. Sequential infection increases the risk of developing DHF.
There is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat DHF. For typical dengue, the immediate concern is the relief of symptoms. Adequate fluid intake for proper body hydration and rest is important. All else will depend on the person’s immune system. However, since the Philippines is abundant with herbal medicines, the Tawa Tawa is being touted as an alternative cure to DHF.
The Tawa Tawa is described as having numerous flowers which measures about 5 to 8 centimeters each with sepals and petals that are obovate-oblong, yellowish-green and covered with large, reddish-brown blotches. The plant has been attested by DHF survivors and herbalists as treatment of DHF.2
The researcher aims to study the possibility of curing DHF by the Tawa Tawa plant. The weed may contain a substance that enables the body to produce more platelets which are essential for blood clotting or anti-bleeding.

THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK