Shea Butter Benefits

(Unrefined Shea Butter)

I always knew that unrefined shea butter, or scientific name Butyrospermum Parkii, was great for overall skin health, but I thought I would research it for more in depth information and share

Shea Butter Origin

                                     

Shea butter is slightly yellowish or ivory colored natural fat that is extracted from the seed of the shea or Karite tree. The shea tree grows naturally in the wild in the dry savannah belt of West Africa from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east, and onto the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. It occurs in 19 countries across the African continent, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

                                                         

The shea tree does not produce it first fruits until it is about 20 years old. When it reaches an age of about 45 years it reaches full maturity and production potential. Now that is a true testament that things do get better with age! The shea tree can be productive for up to 200 years from its maturity date.

Types of Shea Butter

Ultra-refined Shea Butter

• Resembles cooking oil. It is the same butter that is used in the food industry for chocolate. During the refining process many of the skin loving benefits are removed

Refined Shea Butter

• Resembles Crisco shortening. Usually odorless and white in color. Shea butter has been refined using heat and chemicals. Refined shea butter is still a great moisturizer, but other known benefits may be removed during the refining process.

Unrefined Shea Butter ( pictured at the top of page)

• It has a nutty aroma and its color can range from a tan to grayish yellow. This type of shea butter is extracted without the use of chemicals. This is the best type to use if you want to get all the benefits of using shea butter.

If you see shea butter that is bright yellow or gold in color, it usually has other unknown additives that help to "stretch" shea butter or to get more from a little. These are usually cheaper in cost.

Shea Butter Benefits

• Shea butter can help even skin tone with regular use.
• Shea butter can be used to help the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy.
• Shea butter has been used in the relief of sinusitis and nasal congestion.
• Shea butter can be used as natural hair conditioner. It helps to maintain moisture in dry brittle hair.
• Shea butter helps the healing process of small wounds, burns, cuts and scrapes.
• Shea butter can be used as a natural makeup remover.
• Shea butter can be used on everyone! It is safe for babies, children and adults.
• Shea butter helps with the prevention and treatment of sunburn. Ranges in SPF from 0 to 6.
• Shea butter has a naturally high content of vitamins A and E.
• Shea butter moisturizes dry, cracked skin. It is great with those with eczema and other similar skin conditions.
• Shea Butter rehydrates skin and promotes cell growth.
• Shea butter can be used to help muscle fatigue, aches and tension.
• Shea butter is recommended for conditioning animal’s coats.
• Shea butter is a great natural lip balm.


Fair Trade Shea

Please look for shea butter that has been obtained upholding fair trade principles. These principles help implement social, economic, and environmental development in the areas of Africa that the shea butter is produced.

Overall shea butter is a great ingredient to have in your household. Shea butter can be stored for up to 2 to 3 years. After this time, it will start to lose some of its beneficial properties. It is recommended that those with nut or latex allergies should not use shea butter.