Three students from Yogyakarta State University, Anissa Fitria, Fahayu Pristia and Anindya Muliawati, have developed a fever-relieving gel made from butterfly leaves (Bauhinia cariegata).

“Butterfly leaves contain flavonoid, tanin, saponin, terpenoid, alkaloid and polyphenol which are very beneficial for our health. They can function as fever medicine, an antibacterial agent, laxative and cough medicine,” Shilvi Woro Satiti, UNY student team coordinator, told Antara News Agency on Monday.

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Due to their antibacterial properties, according to Shilvi, butterfly leaf extracts are safe to be used as a topical medicine, which was why the students chose to use them in creating a gel that relieves fevers in children.

 “We created the gel in plaster form, which is practical to use. This plaster is very natural, safe and comfortable to use, and it won’t irritate the sensitive skin of children,” she added. 

The students named their creation Kombava, an acronym of kompres bauhinia variegata (bauhinia cariegata compress). They have received a grant from the Education and Culture Ministry’s directorate general of higher education through the 2018 Student Business Creativity Program. (asw)