FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF BETEL LEAVES (PIPER BETLE) INFUSED OIL FOR JOINT PAIN RELIEF

Joint pain is a chronic condition affecting individuals of diverse age groups, commonly arising due to inflammation, arthritis, or age-related degeneration. The present study focuses on developing and evaluating a natural joint pain relief formulation using betel leaves (Piper betle), known for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. Fresh betel leaves were infused into cold-pressed coconut oil through a controlled heat extraction method to obtain a phytochemical-rich preparation. The formulated oil was assessed for physicochemical properties, including color, aroma, texture, absorption, pH, and stability. Additionally, patch testing and a user survey were conducted to evaluate safety and acceptability. Results indicated a stable formulation with favorable sensory attributes, rapid absorption, and high user tolerance, with 90.9% of participants showing no adverse skin reactions. The findings suggest that Piper betle-infused oil has significant potential as a natural alternative for managing joint pain. Further clinical validation and optimization studies are recommended to standardize the product for therapeutic and commercial applications.