Peruvian veterinary surgeon Lia Araujo Jondec has won a gold medal at the KIWIE 2026 international invention exposition in South Korea for developing an organic healing poultice for pets.
The 24-year-old researcher created the botanical ointment to treat superficial skin injuries in companion animals using a combination of natural plant extracts.
Her project originated as a university thesis at the Universidad Científica del Sur in Lima, Peru. The formula was designed as an organic therapeutic alternative to reduce the heavy reliance on antibiotic prescriptions in animal healthcare.
Botanical formula and therapeutic benefits
The healing poultice fuses four plant species: aloe vera, plantain, arnica, and chupasangre. Each plant was selected for its specific biological properties, including regenerative, anti-inflammatory, healing, and analgesic effects.
Araujo explained to state news agency Agencia Andina that her goal was to create a synergy among the four plants to maximize their combined therapeutic benefits.
The ointment is designed specifically for minor cuts and superficial wounds. Araujo clarified that the product is a complementary treatment and does not replace emergency veterinary care for severe or infected trauma.
Laboratory testing on rodents
During the initial development phase, the botanical compound underwent a three-week evaluation on albino rodents, supported by continuous monitoring.
According to Agencia Andina, the laboratory trials recorded no side effects or infections throughout the three-week test period.
Araujo reported that the progress observed in the test subjects was noticeable and favorable. She added that while these preliminary findings were positive, further validation would be required in the target animal species.
Gold medal recognition at KIWIE 2026
The innovation earned international recognition at the Korea International Women's Invention Exposition (KIWIE 2026), held in South Korea from July 16 to July 18, 2026.
The judging panel awarded the project a gold medal, highlighting the novel veterinary application of aloe vera. While aloe vera is widely traded in Asian markets, its use has traditionally been concentrated in the cosmetics industry rather than animal healthcare.
According to an official report by Peru's intellectual property agency Indecopi, the KIWIE 2026 exposition featured 452 patents from 19 countries. Peru led the competition with a delegation presenting 306 initiatives. The event was backed by the Korea Women Inventors Association, the South Korean Intellectual Property Office, and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Clinical trials and commercial development
The project remains in its experimental phase as the technical team works to transition the prototype into a commercial product.
The next phase involves refining and standardizing the botanical recipe. The team plans to conduct direct clinical trials on dogs, cats, and exotic animal species in partnership with the Universidad Científica del Sur.
These upcoming trials will evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of the poultice across different species before the product is released for public sale.
