UNAIR NEWS – Various community efforts in increasing immunity and preventing Covid-19 during this pandemic are often considered excessive. One of them is panic buying, which impacts the scarcity of hand sanitizers on the market.
In this regard, the lecturer and students of Traditional Medicine(Battra) from the Faculty of Vocational Studies Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) held a community service program (pengmas) utilizing eucalyptus leaves as hand sanitizer products and processing butterfly pea flowers into healthy snacks. The activity took place at the Kedungsukodani Village Hall, Balongbendo, Sidoarjo, on Sunday, September 19, 2021.
Initially, the activity was planned to take place periodically from June to September. However, due to the unpredictable PPKM (Public Activity Restrictions) policy, it was merged into one day from morning to noon, with a total of 30 participants targeting women from the PKK (Family Welfare Movement) group.
According to Dwi Setiani Sumardiko S.Kep., Ns., M.Si, as the team leader, the women’s enthusiasm was extraordinary, especially in the process of making the butterfly pea flowers into egg rolls and lemper (steamed glutinous rice with filling).
“They don’t really know the form of butterfly pea flowers, their benefits, and how to process them. So when they finished making the products, they (Ed: the PKK group) were enthusiastic about tasting it,” said the Battra lecturer.
Dwi admitted that food products made from butterfly pea flowers could increase the body’s immunity during the pandemic. Moreover, they have high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and processability as food and herbal drinks. In the community service, immune-boosting drinks made from butterfly pea flowers were also distributed in the form of instant powder.
In addition to immune-boosting drinks, there are also other preventive measures such as washing hands with water or hand sanitizer. Meanwhile, the Family Medicinal Plants (Toga), believed to be a natural antiseptic, are eucalyptus leaves.
In the process, eucalyptus leaves are extracted with appropriate technology based on the Good Traditional Medicine Manufacturing Process (CPOTB).
“It is very easy to make because we just need to cook it with a double boiler process. First, fill in the pot with water, and then boil it. After it boils, put in a stainless steel basin containing one glass of star fruit water at the top and ten whole eucalyptus leaves. Finally, filter the water, and the hand sanitizer is ready to use,” explained Dwi about the process of making hand sanitizer.
Dwi also mentioned the shelf life of eucalyptus leaf extract. “If tightly stored in the refrigerator, it can last a month. Meanwhile, if exposed to air, it only lasts three days,” she added.
In the end of the event, the community service team hoped that through counseling, coaching, and mentoring, the community, especially Family Welfare Movement (PKK) members, could use butterfly pea flowers and eucalyptus leaves to improve the health and economy of the family. (*)
Author: Viradyah Lulut Santosa
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh (YA/AP)
