Shea nut tree, shea-butter tree, shea tree, bamboo butter tree, Galam butter tree, Karite-nut, Shea, and Sand shea butter are some of the popular common names of the plant. There is evidence that food, skin balms, soaps, shampoos, traditional medicines, cooking, and lamp oils have been made with shea butter in Africa for thousands of years. Its use has been documented as far back as the 14th century. Recently, the use of shea butter has become prevalent in hair and skin care products throughout North America.
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Shea Nut Facts
| Name |
Shea butter |
| Scientific Name |
Vitellaria paradoxa |
| Native |
Semi acrid and sub-humid savannas of sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Sudan, Western Ethiopia, and Uganda. It may also be found in Cameroon, the Central African Repu lic, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea,a and Congo |
Common Names
|
Shea nut tree, shea-butter tree, shea tree, bambouk butter tree, Galam butter tree, Karite-nut, Shea, Shea butter |
Name in Other Languages
|
Akan: Nkuto
Arabic: Zabida (زبدة), oum kouroum, lulu
Bamoun: Sap
Bangangté: Kekombichop
Basque: Karite
Baya: Kol
Catalan: Karité
Czech: Máslovník africký
Dutch: Shea tree
English: Bambouk-buttertree, Galam-buttertree, Karite-nut, Shea, Shea butter, Shea-buttertree, Sheatree, Shea Butter Tree
Esperanto: Buterarbo
Finnish: Voipuu
French: Arbre à beurre, Karité, arbre à beurre d’Afrique
Fula: Balire,kareje
German: Schibutterbaum, Karitébaum, Butterbaum, Afrikanischer; Galambutterbaum, afrikanischer Butterbaum
Honduras: Tango
Italy: Albero del burro
Japanese: Shiābatānoki (シアーバターノキ)
Lithuanian: Afrikinis sviestmedis
Macedonian: Masleno drvo (маслено дрво)
Persian: درخت روغن قلم
Polish: Masłosz Parka
Portuguese: Carité, Cárei, árvore-da-manteiga-de-shea
Russian: Shi (Ши)
Spanish: Butirospermo, Árbol montequero
Swedish: Sheasmörträd |
| Plant Growth Habit |
Deciduous, small to medium-sized deciduous tree growing |
| Growing Climates |
Open sites, parklan,d savannah, wooded s,avannahs and clear forests |
| Soil |
Grows on a variety of soils, such as clay, sandy clay, sand, stony soil, and laterites. It prefers colluvial slopes with moderately moist, deep soils, rich in organic matter. Plants can also succplant plantr, lateritic soils plant |
| Plant Size |
Usually 7–15 m (23-49 ft.) tall, but has reached 25 m (82 ft.) and a trunk diameter of 2 m (6.5 ft.) |
Plant Desiption: Sa Butter Health benefits
Shea butter tree is a small to a medium-sized deciduous tree that normally grows about 7–15 m (23-49 ft.) tall but has reached 25 m (82 ft.) and a trunk diameter of 2 m (6.5 ft.). The plant is much branched, and dense, spreading with a round to hemisphe,rical crown. Slash pale pink, secreting white latex, as broken twigs or petisavannahse plant is found ,growing in open sites, parklain savannah, wooded savannahs and clear forests. It grows on a variety of soils, such as clay, sandy clay, sand, stony soil and laterites. It prefers colluvial slopes with moderately moist, deep soils, rich in organic matter. Plants can also succeed in poor, lateritic soils.
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Leaves
Leaves in dense clusters, spirally arranged at the end of stout twigs. They are covered by thick bark showing numerous leaf scars. Petioles are 5-15 cm long, leaves are oblong. Juvenile leaves are rust-red and pubescent, later coriaceous, glabrous, and dark green, shining, 12-25 cm long and 4-7 cm wide, leaf margin wavy and bent.
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Flower
The flowers develop in the axils of scale leaves, at the extremities of dormant twigs, from buds formed 2 years previously. The perennial is a dense fascicle 5-7.5 cm in diameter, at the end of a flowering twig, each usually containing 30-40 flowers, though 80-100 have been recorded. Individual flowers are white or creamy-white, about 1,.5 cm in diameter, and subtended by scarious, brown, ovate or lanceolate bracteoles, which are abscised before flower opening. Flowering normally takes from December to early Augelongated
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Fruits: Shea Butter Health benefits
Fertile flowers are followed by subglobose or elongate berries about 5-8 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, with persistent, yellowish calyx lobes; fleshy pulp with white latex. They are yellow-green or yellow-colored. Fruits consist of up to four shiny oval or round red-brown seeds surrounded by a fragile shining shell with a large, round, rough hilum on a broad base.
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Health Benefits: Shea Butter Health benefits
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic joint complaint that is often related to increasing age, obesity, and trauma. It can be very painful for people who suffer from it. The pain is continuous and disturbs basic movement and the quality of life in an arthritis patient. The unsaponifiable material of shea butter is mostly composed of triterpenes. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its usage by arthritis patients has shown excellent results in alleviating swelling and pain.
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2. Nasal Inflammation and Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is often a result of inflammation of the inner linings of the nasal passages. The anti-inflammatory compounds of shea butter can reduce this inflammation and clear your nostrils. Research conducted to test the efficacy of shea butter concluded that the participants experienced nasal congestion clearance in just 90 seconds.
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3. Lowers Cholesterol: Shea Butter Health benefits
As we mentioned previously, shea butter is edible and is used by people in Africa for food preparation. Including shea butter in your diet helps to lower cholesterol in the blood. This butter is rich in stearic acid, a type of saturated fatty acid that was shown to reduce lipoprotein and plasma cholesterol levels.
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4. Treat Diarrhea: Shea Butter Health benefits
Diarrhea is a symptom of many ailments and can also occur just by itself. It can be treated using a wide range of medicines and herbal concoctions. There is increased demand these days for the addition of shea butter to dietary-aid products that are being formulated for diarrhea treatment. This is based on the traditional usage of shea butter for its anti-diarrheal properties.
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5. Wound Healing: Shea Butter Health benefits
Shea butter has skin moisturizing properties, and these are accompanied by healing properties because of the wide variety of phytonutrients it contains. Wounds, cuts, and abrasions are healed quickly with the regular application of shea butter. It gets easily absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, where it supplies all the essential fats and nutrients while enhancing the cell repair function by increasing microcirculation.
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6. Insect Bites
Due to its high content of vitamin A, it encourages healing and disinfection and calms skin allergies like poison ivy and insect bites. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties accelerate the healing process. Insect bites are often prone to developing an infection, and this can be prevented by using shea butter on them.
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7. Dermatitis, Psoriasis, and Eczema
Conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema cause the skin to become dry, flaky, patchy, scaly, and/or itchy. We need an ingredient that works as a deep moisturizer and alleviates the inflammation to treat them. Shea butter suits this profile perfectly. It is considered an excellent moisturizer for eczema, psoriasis, and dermatiticause of its efficacious emollient and humectant properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of this thick butter can be used for lessening the swelling and itching. Doctors often recommend shea butter to people suffering from these skin ailments as it is safe and well-tolerated.
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8. UV Protection: Shea Butter Health benefits
Shea butter acts as a natural sunscreen by protecting against the ultraviolet radiations of the sun, though the level of protection offered may be variable. Cinnamic acid, found in shea butter, is a compound that provides UV protection, and the SPF ranges from 6-10 depending on the butter’s quality. It is not recommended to use shea butter alone as a sunscreen as its SPF is considered to be low to provide ample protection from harmful rays. Shea butter is best used after sun exposure to soothe the skin and also reverse the oxidative damage caused by the sun.
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9. Anti-aging
Several studies have found that shea butter helps cell regeneration, minimizes signs of aging, and boosts collagen. Many of these benefits are also credited to amyrin.
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10. Hair care: Shea Butter Health benefits
Shea butter also has a lot of potential in the hair care world. While shea butter hasn’t been extensively studied or reported on in scientific journals, related butter and oils have been researched with animal and human subjects.
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11. Reduces scalp irritation
Shea butter’s anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce redness and scalp irritation by providing healing effects without clogging the pores. Additionally, as a natural product, it’s safe to use on all types of hair, even hair that’s damaged, dry, or color treated.
Raw shea butter isn’t the only hair care solution available. Certain over-the-counter hair care products (especially conditioners) also contain shea butter. The role of conditioners in overall hair health includes strengthening hair fibers, lubricating cuticles, and reducing frizz.
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12. Restores the Elasticity of the Skin
Non-saponifiable matter and vitamin F in this butter are vital ingredients for maintaining the skin’s elasticity. Shea butter also improves the production of collagen in the skin. Thus, its application restores the natural elasticity of the skin besides hydrating, softening, and beautifying it. Restored elasticity also ensures reduced wrinkles and blemishes.
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13. Reduce Razor Irritation and Bumps
Shaving hair using razors can often leave your skin irritated and itchy. It might even develop bumps post-shaving as a result of the irritation. Shea butter can help reduce this as it moisturizes and soothes irritated skin. You can also apply the butter a day before shaving to smoothen the skin and hair. This will make the shaving process easier and faster and doesn’t leave any irritating spots behind.
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14. Excellent Lip Care
Shea butter is easily absorbable and offers extra moisture and nutrients that the lips need during the cold season and dry weather conditions. Thus, it acts as a perfect lip balm and is also effective for treating dry and chapped lips. When applied, it forms a barrier on the lips and retains moisture in the skin.
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15. Reduces Stretch Marks
Shea butter is often used as a base in ointments or creams prepared commercially for stretch mark treatment. It can dramatically prevent and reduce stretch marks formed during pregnancy due to weight gain and/or weight loss. These marks are formed when the skin stretches beyond its elastic capacity. The application of shea butter will restore the natural elasticity of the skin and also improve collagen production. It is a natural emollient. Daily massage of the affected area with this skin-healing butter can lighten stretch marks.
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16. Helps Soothe Skin and Baby Diaper Rash
Unrefined shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer that is devoid of chemicals. Thus, it is ideal for baby care as besides being gentle and soft on the skin, it is particularly adapted for the delicate and sensitive skin of babies. It can be applied after a bath and also used for healing eczema or diaper rash on the skin of babies and toddlers
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17. Prevents Hair Loss: Shea Butter Health benefits
Fatty acids of shea butter condition the scalp and hair. It provides numerous essential nutrients that improve both scalp and hair health. These, in turn, will make your hair follicles stronger and reduce hair fall and hair loss. Another important property of shea butter that can prevent hair loss is its anti-inflammatory properties. Scalp conditions can be treated by these compounds, thus reducing hair loss. Your hair will grow thicker and have a natural shine when you use shea butter.
18. Soothes Muscle Aches
Muscular pain often results from inflammation at the affected site due to exertion or a muscular ailment. Traditionally, shea butter has been extensively used in Africa to relieve muscle aches and soreness. Even though there is no solid proof for this, feedback from people who have used shea butter to massage the affected site showed that they noticed a reduction in the swelling as well as the pain.
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19. Rheumatism: Shea Butter Health benefits
Rheumatism is often characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Pain and swelling can also be present just in the muscles or the fibrous tissue. It is used as an ointment on the parts of the body affected by rheumatism to relieve the swelling and pain. Its anti-inflammatory properties are of key importance here as rheumatism is an inflammatory disease.
20. Cracked heels and cuticles: Shea Butter Health benefits
Summer is around the corner and that means sandals and fresh pedicures! No one should have to suffer from crunchy toes and feet, and nothing makes your hands look more unattractive than dry, hard cuticles. Try the sock method at bedtime for your feet. After showering, dry your feet then give yourself a nice foot massage with the shea butter. Slip your socks on so that by morning your feet will be soft and moisturized. For your cuticles, try keeping a small container of shea butter with you at all times so that you can moisturize your hands with it after every time you wash your hands, keeping your hands and cuticles soft.
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Traditional uses and benefits of Shea butter
- Shea Butter is used for topical medicines against rheumatic and joint pains, wounds, swellings, dan ermabathss, bruises, and other skin conditions.
- It is also useful as relief from nasal congestion and rhinitis.
- Leaves are used to treat stomach pain and headache, and as eye bath.
- Ground roots and bark are used to treat diarrhea, jaundice, and stomach ache.
- Bark infusions have antimicrobial properties and are used against dysentery.
- Shea butter may relieve nasal congestion better than conventional nasal drops.
- They are applied as an eyewash to counteract spitting cobra venom.
- Bark decoction has been used ,in baths to facilitate childbirth and stimulate lactation among feeding motand hers.
- Powdered roots are used agains,t liver cancer, stomach pains (gastritis), female infertility and ascites.
-
Cold macerated or decoction tender leaves treat jaundice, relieve nausea, constipation, diarrhea and stomach bloating.
- Bark is used superficially or in decoction, it is used for medico-magic purposes and is used in the treatment of madness, fevers, constipation, schistosomiasis, amoebic dysentery, coughing, etc.
- Leaf ash kills lice.
- Shea butter is traditionally used in medicines, particularly for the preparation of skin ointments, and is used to treat inflammation, rashes in children, dermatitis, sunburn, chapping, irritation, and ulcers, and as a rub for rheumatism.
- Roots and root bark are ground to a paste and taken orally to cure jaundice, or are boiled and pounded to treat chronic sores and girth sores in horses.
- Bark infusion is used as an eyewash as a footbath to help extract jiggers, and to neutralize the venom of the spitting cobra.
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Infusions have been taken for the treatment of leprosy in Guinea-Bissau.
- Macerated with the bark of Ceiba pentandra and salt, infusions have been used to treat cattle with worms in Senegal and Guinea.
- In northern Ghana the leaves are used in medicine for the treatment of stomach aches, especially in children.
- Leaves are also used in a mixture with other leaves in a traditional mixture to produce a vapor which is used to bathe persons for the treatment of fevers and headaches.
- Leaves when soaked in water turn to a soapy and frothy liquid which is used to bathe the head of persons suffering frotheirever.
- İn cases of eye problems a leaf decoction can be used as treatment.
- Roots of the shea tree are used by locals in N,orthern Nigeria as chewing sticks for cleaning the teeth.
- Roots are also combined in a mixture with the bark in traditional medicine for the treatment of jaundice, diarrhea and stomach pain.
- Root bark is boiled and pounded and used for treating chronic sores in horses.
- It is also used to heal skinthe rashes and inflammation in children, sunburn, dermatitis, ulcers, chapping, and irritation, and is also used on the skin to treat rheumatism.
- Roots as well as the bark of shea tree are pounded to make a paste and ingested for treating jaundice.
-
In Cote d’Ivoire, people prepare a decoction from the bark of a shea tree and use it in a bath to assist child assisting
- Decoction is also drunk by nursing mothers to promote breast milk secretion.
- People in Nigeria consider this concoction to be deadly. An infusion made from the shea tree bark is used in the form of an eye wash, a footbath to facilitate extraction of jiggers, and also to counteract the venom of a spitting cobra.
- In Guinea-Bissau, people have also used the infusion internally for treating leprosy.
- It is also effective in healing bruises, wounds, swellings and several other problems related to the skin.
- Traditionally, people have been using shea butter to get relief from inflammation inside the nostrils.
- The roots the of shea tree are used for cleansing the teeth as well as promoting oral health.
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How to Store Shea Butter: Shea Butter Health benefits
The best way to store 100% shea butter is to store it in a cool environment in an airtight container. Keep it away from the sun. Quite often, vitamin E is added to shea butter to increase its shelf life. On average, 100% shea butter has a shelf life of two years. If you sense an acidic/rancid smell, it might be time to throw it away.
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Shea Butter Recipes
Body Butter Lotion
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw shea butter
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 cup almond oil
Directions
- Melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler.
- Mix well and let it cool down for a couple of minutes.
- Add almond oil and mix well.
- Place this in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. The oils should start to solidify a little.
- Once the natural solidification process has started, whip the oil blend using a hand mixer or a kitchen aid mixer until you get a thick, creamy consistency.
- Transfer this to an airtight container and keep it aside. Allow it to set.
- Use as and when required to moisturize the body.
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Lavender Mint Lip Balm
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons raw shea butter
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
- 6-7 drops of lavender oil
- 6-7 drops peppermint oil
Directions: Shea Butter Health benefits
- Melt the shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil in a double boiler.
- Let them cool down slightly and then add the essential oils.
- Mix thoroughly and pour the concoction into small jars or lip balm tins.
- Leave aside until the contents are set.
- Use once or twice a day as a regular lip balm.
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