Shea Butter Owing to the several requests from my fans who are keen on learning more about this beneficial local butter, I was moved to write this article. The fact that you picked interest in reading this article tells me that you are keen on knowing what shea butter is all about, why you need shea butter and how you can use it for numerous purposes.
So, What is Shea Butter?
Shea butter (ori) is that ivory or light white-colored vegetable fat produced from the nuts of the shea tree. It is produced from shea seeds of the shea tree which has presently gained huge attention both locally and internationally as an economic plant due to its high demand. The shea tree which is also known as karite, ori tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, Butyrospermumparkii or Karitébaum belongs to the sapotaceae family. When compared to other economical plantation trees, shea trees usually take a longer time approximately 45 to 50 years to reach maturity and this is part of the reasons why this plant wasn’t initially grown for economic purposes. But interestingly, the shea tree can continue yielding shea nuts even after reaching two hundred years old.
The shea tree is originally from the African savanna area and it is characterised by fruits that contain fat-rich nuts or kernels. The demand for shea butter as an equivalent or alternative for cocoa butter has been on the increase recently because it has similarities with cocoa butter in terms of the melting point as well as high stearo-palmatine and distearin contents. Shea butter is mainly used in the pharmaceutical, confectioneries, and cosmetology industries. The African shea butter can be used for various purposes such as ointment production, soap manufacturing, frying, cooking, body balm, medicines production and confectionery production.
Shea Oil It is worthy of note that the quality of the shea kernels greatly determines the quality of the shea butter extracted. In other to obtain most quality shea butter, many people prefer buying the shea kernels and then extracting the shea butter on their own so as to produce the best quality shea butter.
Shea Butter Production
Shea butter is produced by breaking the nuts and then carefully extracting the content from the nuts before heating for the main shea butter.
Shea Butter Nutrition
Shea butter is an excellent source of phytosterol, fatty acid triglyceride (stearic and oleic), palmitic acid, linoleic acid and unsaponifiable matter that facilitate the skin's natural renewal process. Shea butter oil is also a rich source of cinnamic acid, which helps to protect the skin from dangerous ultraviolet rays. It also contains vitamins A and E which are very beneficial for us.
Benefits of Shea Butter
1. Anti-aging properties of Shea Butter
Clinical studies conducted by scientists reveal that applying shea butter on the skin reduces various signs of aging as well as prevents photo-aging induced by chronic UVA and UVB exposure. Shea butter also contains UV anti-erythemic properties that help in keeping the skin softened as well as facilitates tissue cells regeneration. Shea butter promotes collagen and elastin production which are the key structural proteins that toughen the skin thereby making it to glow. The anti-aging and collagen effects of shea butter are as a result of its unsaponifiable contents.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties of Shea Butter
Shea butter contains anti-inflammatory properties thus can be used to reduce skin irritations and reactions to unwanted chemicals. Shea butter contains α-amyrin which is the most dominant triterpene that has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects thus preventing skin inflammatory reactions such as edema and body swelling.
3. Cholesterol Control
Shea butter can be used medicinally for producing drugs that lower the cholesterol levels as well as reduces the lipoprotein (LDL). The anti-hypercholesterolemic ability of shea butter is due to its high stearic acid and saponin content. Saponin lowers the serum cholesterol by forming mixed micelles with bile acids and cholesterol in the intestine thus increasing its excretion and preventing its absorption.
4. Skin Treatment
Shea butter can be applied topically on the body parts as a treatment for skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes and dry skin. It protects the skin and makes it to glow and look more elegant. Shea butter can also be produced into body lotions or creams that mainly use fatty bases during production.
5. Gastrointestinal Infection Treatment
Both the fruit, bark, leaves, seeds, stem and roots of the shea tree can be used for producing medicines for treating gastrointestinal tract infections such as helminthes, diarrhea and dysentery.
6. Sun Protective Properties of Shea Butter
Shea butter can be used as a sun-screening cream that reflects or absorbs part of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation that could possibly harm the skin when exposed to sunlight. Shea butter contains cinnamate esters of triterpene alcohol thus protects the skin against sunburn, reduces risk of sun-induced skin cancer, protects against erythema and fights against photocarcinogenesis.
7. Use of Shea Butter as a Skin Moisturiser
Due to buttery consistency and semi-solid nature of the shea butter, it can be topically applied on the skin as a moisturizer or as an emollient. Shea butter melts at body temperature thus can be easily absorbed into the skin.
8. Culinary Purposes
Shea butter oil is an excellent source of free fatty acids thus can be used as an oil substitute for producing dishes. The high protein-rich caterpillars of Cirina butyrospermi that usually thrive on the shea trees are a rich delicacy for some African countries. The opportunity of harvesting the Cirina butyrospermi caterpillars has been reported to be the main reason why some farmers allow the shea tree to remain on their plantation lands. Shea butter can also be used as a substitute for butter, margarine or cocoa butter for cooking.
9. Antioxidizing Properties of Shea Butter
Shea butter contains anti-oxidizing properties due to its tocopherol content.
10. Hair Treatment
Shea butter can be applied on the scalp and hair to prevent dandruff. It also helps the hair to grow and keeps the hair moisturized.
11. Shea Butter as Insect Repellent
Shea butter acts an insect repellent so it is capable of putting off insects, mosquitoes and flies when applied on the skin.
12. Other Medicinal Uses of Shea butter
Shea butter can be used for preparing local medicines for treating nasal congestion, rheumatism, inflammation of the nostrils, cough, minor bone dislocation and leprosy. It is also useful for protecting against simulium infection, prevents stretch marks and facilitates quicker healing of the male genital parts after circumcision.
Shea Butter Allergy
There have been no reported allergic reactions attributed to either oral or topical use of shea butter.
DISCLAIMER
This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnostic and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.
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