Shea butter is used in all sorts of health and beauty products, ranging from soap to lotion to hair conditioner. Shea butter is an oil extracted from the nut of the shea tree, native to West Africa. Good quality shea nut butter should be raw and unrefined, with a distinctive appearance and aroma to retain its natural benefits.
History
Raw shea butter has been used in its native West Africa for centuries. Shea butter is prepared the same way today as it always has been. The nuts are gathered by women in the village, then cracked, grilled and pounded, according to Mountain Rose Herbs. The nuts are then boiled and the oil, or shea butter, rises to the top. Once the oil cools, it becomes a cream-colored solid with a buttery consistency.
Features
Shea butter contains both vitamins A and E. This rich product is an excellent moisturizer for dry skin and may promote healing, according to the American Shea Butter Institute. Shea butter may have greater nourishing and healing properties than most seed oils. This rich source of nutrients offers some sun protection and has anti-inflammatory potential, reports a 2010 study in the "Journal of Oleo Science" by T. Akihisa et. al.
Types
Pure shea butter should be unrefined and raw, as it has always been prepared. The traditional preparation preserves the vitamins and minerals naturally present. Refined shea butters may be bleached, fragranced or chemically treated to remove the distinctive odor of the shea nut, according to MountainRoseHerbs.com. You can use pure raw shea butter on its own or in various health and beauty care recipes for body butters, soaps and other products.
Function
Raw shea butter can be used to moisturize dry skin and to treat the itching and flakiness that can result. You can use it on thickened calloused skin, such as that on the feet or palms. Use shea butter to treat itching or skin irritations, moisturize delicate facial skin, or prevent chafing in cold weather. Shea butter may also be used to treat muscle soreness or fatigue, according to the American Shea Butter Institute.
Warning
If you have tree nut allergies, the American Shea Butter Institute recommends you avoid all shea butter products. There are no studies on the safety of topical shea butter and nut allergies. You may also wish to consult your physician if you have eczema or another dermatological condition before using shea butter products.
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