Shea Butter

It has been a while since I last wrote, as we were on an extended vacation, driving across the country and visiting family and friends.  Just before we returned, our home was burglarized; so we have been busy putting everything back in order.  The good news is that everyone is safe and my new website http://naturalhomemadesoap.net is live and running.  I have added only one product page so far.  I am learning as I go and writing an article to go with each new page.  Before resuming my series on Ingredients to Avoid, I want to share with you the benefits and uses of Shea butter.

What is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a triglyceride fat that is extracted from the nuts of the African Shea tree, found in the wild predominantly in the savannah of Western Africa.  It is slightly yellow or ivory-colored.  The Shea tree is considered sacred and is treated with great respect.  According to Nature Purity, the Shea tree grows up to 60 feet tall, does not flower before it is 20 years old, and can live for 200 years. 

Uses for Shea Butter

Shea butter is edible and is used as cooking oil in many African nations.  The food industry occasionally substitutes refined Shea butter for cocoa butter in pastries and ice cream; however, this is not permitted in the US.

Shea butter is most commonly used by the cosmetic industry to make soaps, moisturizers, emulsions, and hair conditioners.

According to Wikipedia, in some African countries Shea butter is used “for cooking oil, as a waterproofing wax, for hairdressing, for candlemaking, and also in medicinal ointments.”  It is also used by makers of traditional African percussion instruments to soften, condition and increase the durability of wood (such as carved djembe shells), dried calabash gourds, and leather tuning straps.

Shea butter is sometimes used as a base for medicinal ointments, in sun block lotion, to treat minor cuts and burns, and as an anti-inflammatory to relieve various skin irritations, such as psoriasis, eczema and sunburn.  Also, according to Wikipedia, in Nigeria Shea butter is used to manage sinusitis and to relieve nasal congestion.

Benefits of Shea Butter

·      Melts at skin temperature.

·      Absorbed readily into the skin

·      Does not leave a greasy residue

·      Anti-inflammatory

·      Has been shown to prevent tumor development

·      Contains essential fatty acids and phytosterols such as oleic, palmitic, and linolenic acids

·      Contains vitamins A, D, and E, as well as catechins (plant antioxidants found in green tea) and allantoin

·      UV protection

·      Repairs wrinkles, fine lines, and scars

·      Deep moisturizing for skin and hair

·      Stimulates superficial microcirculation

·      Strengthens the skin

·      Regenerates skin

·      Stimulates collagen production, making the skin stronger and more supple

·      Revitalizes dry and damaged hair

Precautions

Use only unrefined raw Shea butter.  Since the Shea tree grows in the wild, no fertilizers or chemicals are used in its growth.  Because it has been extracted manually or mechanically and no chemicals are involved in the process, unrefined Shea butter retains all of the moisturizing, healing and anti-aging qualities.

People allergic to tree nuts may experience a reaction to Shea butter.

References:

1.     Shea Butter, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shea_butter

2.     Shea Butter Benefits, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/shea-butter-benefits-79280.html

3.     Shea Butter, Superfood for your Skin, http://www.naturepurity.com/holistic/sheabutter.html

4.     Shea Butter Scoping Paper, http://greencommodities.org/attachments/121_UNDP%20Green%20Commodities%20Facility_Shea%20butter%20Scoping%20Paper.pdf