SARRAT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

TARO (Colocasia esculenta) LEAVES AS AN HERBAL TEA

MARK JANZEN JAMES

Researcher

Ms. Vishia Gantala

Adviser
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of Study

People nowadays are used to drink tea. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the

world next to water, which can be a great source of vitamins and minerals, relaxes mind and

soul, improves immune system, has an aromatherapy which can’t be found on tablets, and

possesses many medicinal qualities.

Herbal tea is one of the classification of tea, these were came from just an infusion of

leaves, seeds, roots or bark. In drinking a well-steeped herbal tea, we get all the plant’s benefits

in an easily digestible form.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) plant is the most delicious part of taro plant, it can be cooked

into different dishes like laing and ginataan which is one of the most delicious food of Filipinos.

Taro contains a very significant amount of dietary fiber and carbohydrates, as well as high

levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and folate, as well as magnesium, iron,

zinc, phosphorous, potassium, manganese, and copper, which can contribute to human’s health.

Thereupon, the researcher aimed to make the taro (Colocasia escueanta) leaves as an

herbal tea that possesses high fiber. If the research proves to be successful, there can now be an

alternative solution to indigestion and overweight and it is also possible to lower the blood

sugar, boost vision health, increase circulation, decrease blood pressure, aid the immune system,

and prevent heart disease, while also supporting muscle and nerve health and other diseases and

cancer also.
Statement of the problem

The study was established to prove and show the capability of Colocasia escueanta leaves

as an herbal tea. Precisely, this proves to answering the succeeding questions:

1. Is it attainable to make an herbal tea from Colocassia escueanta leaves?

2. Are there significant differentiability between the Colocassia escueanta leaves as an

herbal tea and the commercialized herbal tea in terms of appearance, prize, aroma, taste

and environment friendly?

Objectives of the study

1. General Objectives

a. To produce an herbal tea from Colocassia escueanta leaves.

2. Specific Objectives

a. To evaluate the feasibility of Colocassia escueanta leaves as an herbal tea.

b. To determine the significant differentiability between the Colocassia

escueanta leaves as an herbal tea and the commercialized herbal tea in terms

of appearance, prize, aroma, taste and environment friendly.

Significance of the study

Drinking an herbal tea is one of the major habits of the humanity since then. This study

sought a substitute to commercial herbal tea by the use of taro leaves which are just thrown.

This study was made to come out with established results came from people who have

taste the taro leaves herbal tea. This research may prove economically viable because of its
organic source. This may help to indigestion, weight loss and strengthens the immune system of

humanity.

This study may help to improve the humanities health, because the taro leaves herbal tea

possesses medical qualities and according to some studies it can prevent cancer, without spending

a lot of money these can be obtain. Taro leaves are just thrown, because some thought it can’t be

cooked as food. Instead of throwing these taro leaves, it can be made into herbal tea.

Hypothesis of the study

Null Hypothesis

There is no significnt difference between the Taro (Colocassia escueanta) leaves herbal

tea with the commercialized herbal tea in terms of appearance, prize, aroma, taste and

environment friendly.

Alternative Hypothesis

There are significant difference between the Taro (Colocassia escueanta) leaves herbal

tea with the commercialized herbal tea in terms of appearance, prize, aroma, taste and

environment friendly

Scope and Limitations

The study was conducted from _________ to _______ at Brgy. #4 San Francisco, Sarrat,

Ilocos Norte. The study focused on attaining alternative herbal tea to humanity without spending

a lot of money and lessen the taro leaves that are just thrown.
 The coverage of the study is to produce an herbal tea from taro leaves and compared to

the commercialized herbal tea. This study is limited only to the researcher and people who have

tested the taro leaves herbal tea in determining the appearance, aroma and taste.

Definition of terms

Aroma - a distinctive pervasive and usually pleasant or savory smell; broadly

Produce - make or manufacture from components or raw materials

Fiber - is a substance found in plants. It is an important part of a healthy diet

Capability - power or ability.

Established - having been in existence for a long time and therefore recognized and generally

accepted.

Attainable – possible to be made

Evaluate - form an idea of the amount, number, or value of; assess.

Feasibility - the state or degree of being easily or conveniently done.

Viable - capable of working successfully; feasible.

Indigestion - pain or discomfort in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food
 CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

Herbal tea

Herbal tea, or, more properly, is any beverage made from

the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water, and usually does

not contain caffeine. The caffeine has been removed. In many countries, the word 'tea' may only

be used for leaves of Camellia sinensis . These beverages are therefore labelled infusion or tisane.

Like beverages made from true teas, herbal teas can be served hot or cold.

Taro Plant
Taro the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the Araceae family which are

used as vegetables for their corms, leaves, and petioles. Thus, this article describes the "dasheen"

form of taro; another variety of taro is known as eddoe or Colocasia antiquorum. Other species of

taro include giant, swamp taro, and arrowleaf elephant's ear. Taro–also called Dasheen–is a

perennial tropical or subtropical plant commonly grown for its starchy but sweet flavored tuber.

Taro is always served cooked, not raw. The taro tuber is cooked like a potato, has a doughy texture,

and can be used to make flour. Young taro leaves and stems can be eaten after boiling twice to

remove the acrid flavor. Cook taro leaves like spinach. A paste called poi is made from the taro

root.

Taro leaves

Taro is grown in mainly tropical to sub tropical climates. they don't tolerate cold

temperatures, so their range is limited to the warmer parts of the world. Also known as "Elephant
Ears" they are sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. But those varieties are not edible, so

please don't go and dig one up from your garden!

If you like spinnach, then you are going to love Taro leaves. It has a similar flavor, and like

spinnach, is high in essential vitamins and minerals. It also has good protein levels. Unlike

spinnach however, Taro leaves are toxic when raw. They contain calcium oxelate (as do many

other green leafy plants, such as chives, parsley, and rhubarb). This can be neutralized by either

soaking in water overnight or by cooking, so don't let this put you off using them in your recipes.

Taro leaves are also good for weight gain: the good: this food is low in saturated fat, and

very low in cholesterol and sodium. it is also a good source of vitamin b6 and phosphorus, and a

very good source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin a, vitamin c, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate,

calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and

other aroma compounds for the purpose of altering one's mood, cognitive, psychological or

physical well-being.

It can be offered as a complementary therapy or, more controversially, as form

of alternative medicine. Complementary therapy can be offered alongside standard treatment, with

alternative medicine offered instead of conventional, evidence-based treatments.

Aromatherapists, who specialize in the practice of aromatherapy, utilize blends of

therapeutic essential oils that can be issued through topical application, massage, inhalation or

water immersion to stimulate a desired response.

There is no good medical evidence that aromatherapy can either prevent or cure any disease, but

it might help improve general well-being.

 CHAPTER III

Methodology

Research Design

Experimental Research Design was the research design used in the study in order to

determine the capability of Taro leaves as an herbal tea.

Materials/Equipments

All the materials that will be used in the experiment were allocated by the researcher and

some from SNHS laboratory.

Population of Sample

Purposive Sampling will be used for the researcher will able to know the capability of

Taro leaves as an herbal tea. Two-grouped Design will be used in testing the capability of Taro

leaves as an herbal tea which there are one control group and one experimental group.

Procedure

A . Collection and preparation of Taro leaves:

1. Collection of the plant sample:

The plant sample was collected in the garden of Mr. Jessie James located at barangay

four Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. Only fresh leaves were used as sample material for the herbal

tea.

2. Preparation of plant sample:

 Ten leaves of taro will be dried up under the sun in a clean container sealed with a clean

thin cloth so bacteria would not attach to it for seven days until it become crunch and

ready to grind.

B . Preparation of the Colocasia esculenta leaves herbal tea

Grind the dried taro leaves thoroughly using the mortar and pestle. Pour 10 grams of the

grind taro leaves in a filter tea bag. This will be good only for once use and always throw in the

garbage can where it belongs