IPB University Students Present Femony Yoghurt, a Solution for Women’s Reproductive Health
Five students of IPB University, namely Fidela Nailan Faza Prasetyaji, Dewi Anggraini, Rachmalia Isni Oktaviani, Puja Mutiara Hati from the Nutrition Science Study Programme and Siti Rohmah from the Management Study Programme, succeeded in creating a yoghurt drink innovation made from functional food called Femony.
Under the guidance of lecturer Dr Eny Palupi, this product utilises the Saraca ashoka plant which has the potential to prevent breast cancer, overcome polycystic ovary syndrome (SOPK), and reduce symptoms of dysmenorrhoea or menstrual pain.
Fidela Nailan Faza Prasetyaji, team leader, explained that Femony Yoghurt is designed to provide comprehensive female reproductive health benefits. This initiative was motivated by the high incidence of gynaecological diseases in Indonesia, such as breast cancer, SOPK, and dysmenorrhoea.
“We hope this product can be a healthy and delicious choice for Indonesian women, while supporting efforts to prevent serious diseases such as breast cancer and other reproductive disorders,” she explained.
Femony is made from the bark and flowers of the Saraca ashoka tree. The plant, colloquially known as ‘soka flower’, is known to contain bioactive compounds such as steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, carotenoids, phenols, flavone glycosides, and phytoestrogens that are spasmogenic, uterotonic, oxytocin, antibacterial, anti-tumour, anti-implantation, anti-progestational, and anti-estrogenic.
With these ingredients, it has the potential to prevent breast cancer and SOPK, and fight menstrual pain. Research shows that Saraca ashoka can help normalise disrupted hormonal profiles and improve ovarian status, potentially addressing SOPK and menstrual pain.
Saraca ashoka also has antioxidant and anti-breast cancer activity in vivo as well as the ability to normalise disrupted hormonal profiles in mice, so it has potential as a complementary and alternative medicine for breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Femony products were created through the Student Creativity Programme (PKM). The programme has been running since April 2024 and started mass production since July 2024 with a production location in Bogor, West Java.
Currently, Femony is sold at Rp8,000 and is available in various marketplaces such as Shopee and Tokopedia, as well as through social media such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
“With an affordable price and extraordinary benefits, Femony Yoghurt is expected to be well received by the community. PT Naridahayu is committed to continuing to innovate and support women’s reproductive health through high-quality products,” said Fidela.
More information about Femony can be seen through the official Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook accounts with the username @femony_yoghurt. (IAAS/RUM)
