I always see shea butter in lotions and shampoos, but what is it? Obviously it's supposed to be good for our skin or our body in general, but where does this stuff even come from, and what does it look like? Lastly, what exactly are the health benefits of shea butter?
What is Shea Butter?
Shea butter is derived from a nut from the shea tree (karite tree) native to West and Central Africa. This nut is often crushed, boiled, and manipulated to extract a lightly colored natural fat from the nut, which is the actual shea butter. According to the Ecologist,
"In its most pure, untreated state, virgin shea butter looks like lumps of hard caramel ice cream." This creamy natural fat is edible and sometimes used in food preparations, but probably best known in Western cultures for its widespread use in beauty products such as lotions, cosmetics, hair care products, and more.The following components can be found in shea butter: oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, and others. Shea butter melts at body temperature and is absorbed quickly into the skin. Wikipedia states that "Some of the isolated chemical constituents are reported to have anti-inflammatory, emollient and humectant properties."
Some traditional uses of shea butter include cooking oil, hairdressing, waterproofing wax and candle making, a base for medicinal ointments, and ingredient in chocolate fillings and other candies, cosmetics, moisturizing creams and lotions, shampoos and conditioners, and more.
Health Benefits of Shea Butter
As with most products available today, some are more refined than others. The best types of shea butter are the purest and least refined, without the use of solvents.
Natural shea butter contains vitamin A, vitamin E, and others. It is an effective moisturizer and "has been used to help heal burns, sores, scars, dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, and stretch marks. It may also help diminish wrinkles by moisturizing the skin, promoting cell
renewal, and increasing circulation. Shea butter also contains cinnamic acid, a substance that helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays... and has demonstrated both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties," according to VitaminStuff.com.Availability
Aside from being used as an ingredient in aforementioned hair care and skin care products, shea butter can be purchased in various forms of refinement (from pure to ultra-refined) in different sizes online, in health food and natural stores, and other stores. The most pure forms tend to have a strong aroma that is unpleasant to some people; however, this smell does dissipate over the course of several minutes to several hours depending upon the level of refinement and how much has been used.
Look for fair-trade shea butter whenever possible.
Several Notes of Caution
Shea butter is not recommended for those with sensitivities or allergies to nuts or latex. If you have serious skin problems, it's best to consult a physician. Also, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of shea butter, consult your physician. It's best to be on the safe side and get information from a knowledgeable source who will help you determine the safest and healthiest practices.
Sources
Shea Butter - Wikipedia
Vitamin Stuff.com: Shea Butter
Ecologist: Shea Butter (Green Living, Health and Beauty)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT FACTOIDZ.COM.