Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Dark circles and puffy eyes affect people of all ages due to factors like lifestyle choices, aging, medical conditions, and genetics. This study examines four herbal remedies—cucumber, chamomile tea bags, witch hazel, and arnica for treating these concerns and evaluates first-year pharmacy students' knowledge and opinions on these remedies. Despite the prevalence of products containing these ingredients, scientific literature supporting their efficacy, particularly for chamomile tea bags and arnica, is scarce. A survey with 5 knowledge-based and 5 opinion-based questions was conducted among 36 participants. Results showed a 75.4% correct answer rate for knowledge-based questions, with most participants (97.1%) acknowledging the variability in effectiveness and the importance of consulting healthcare professionals. However, opinion-based questions revealed a negative attitude towards herbal remedies, with over 77.1% disagreeing with their potential benefits, especially for cucumber and chamomile tea bags. Lower but still significant disagreement was observed for arnica (71.4%) and witch hazel (63.6%). These findings underscore the importance of educating participants about remedies for dark circles and puffy eyes, particularly for less understood remedies like witch hazel. Overall, participants were skeptical about natural remedies for dark circles, aligning with the need for evidence-based treatments in this area (as highlighted in the literature). Future research should prioritize proven treatments, while pharmacy curricula should adapt to the growing use of natural herbs, empowering pharmacists to guide patients responsibly.
