Shea Butter

Latin (Botanical) Name: Butyrospermum Parkii

Plant Family: Sapotaceae

Common Extraction Method: Cold press

Typically Used Plant Part: Seed

Color: Off white

Aromatic Characteristic: Oily, nutty aroma

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Shea trees grow in the Savanna zone, an area that traders refer to as the "Shea Zone." This region includes countries such as Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia. Ghana and Burkina Faso are the main exporting countries of Shea nuts.

Because it offers many skin, hair and health benefits, the shea tree has been given nicknames meaning "tree of life" in many countries.

In Africa, the production of Shea butter is particularly important for the livelihood of women. With the income they earn, women meet their needs for food, clothing, personal belongings and education. For this reason, shea butter is also known as "Women's Gold".

The shea tree was considered sacred, and coffins of kings and respected community leaders were made from it.

It was used by African people long before this time, although some early records indicate that European explorers began using Shea Butter in the 1300s. People used shea butter to soften dry skin and hair in the harsh desert climate, to protect them from harmful elements and to relieve insect bites.

According to historical sources, the history of shea butter goes back to early Egypt, where it was used as a skin care product. Ancient records tell of Cleopatra accompanying her on all her travels with large jars filled with shea butter and applying the oil daily to her skin to moisturize, soothe and rejuvenate.

Traditionally, Shea Butter was a key ingredient used in African pharmacology for its medicinal benefits. Local healers used this nourishing oil as the main ingredient to solve health problems such as cough, bruising, rheumatism, inflammation, minor bone spurs and leprosy. Its wound-healing properties were effective in reducing stretch marks and regenerating cut skin, especially soothing the irritating consequences of circumcision. As it spread to various parts of Africa, it was discovered to have different uses in the manufacture of various products such as soaps and nasal decongestants. Studies conducted in the 1940s showed that Africans who used shea butter experienced fewer cases of skin disease compared to those who did not. Some communities in Africa have also used shea butter for larger applications, such as making lamp oils, weatherproofing their roofs, and protecting their pets' skin and feet from harsh sand and salt.

During the Middle Ages, shea butter became a popular global trade item in Western Africa, including coastal areas as well as European markets. “Mother Nature’s Conditioner” is a nickname shea butter has earned for its exceptional moisturizing and conditioning properties. It has been used as an ingredient in cosmetics for thousands of years, since the therapeutic benefits of shea butter were discovered.

Rich in Vitamins A, E and F, shea butter is a natural emollient that nourishes the skin and supports its clarity and health. Whether the skin is dry or oily, shea butter balances oil production without clogging the pores. It offers many health benefits with the fatty acids and other components it contains.

KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Stearic acid
Oleic acid
Linoleic acid
Palmitic acid

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BENEFITS

Skin friendly [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]:

Used topically, shea butter is known as a "skin superfood" that helps to nourish the skin, to increase its clarity and to solve problems such as dryness, blemishes, dark spots, discoloration, stretch marks and wrinkles without clogging pores.

It helps protect the skin from harsh environmental elements such as strong winds and cold temperatures by forming a barrier.

It is known that shea butter used in massages slows down the signs and symptoms of maturing skin by supporting the elasticity and flexibility of the skin and by helping to increase collagen production and increase circulation, which promotes the regeneration of skin cells.

Hair friendly [6] [7]:

Shea butter used in the hair helps to moisturize and nourish the hair from root to tip, helps reducing dryness / brittleness / dandruff, without leaving a sticky residue on the hair [8].

It shows anti-inflammatory characteristic [9]:

It helps to relieve joint pain, rheumatic pain, other pains and reduce stretch marks [10].

It shows antimicrobial and antibacterial characteristics [11] [12]:

Used medicinally, shea butter helps prevent skin-irritating and acne-causing bacteria from staying on the skin. It helps to relieve nasal congestion. It helps wound healing by forming a barrier that protects the skin from harsh environmental factors.

WARNINGS

Avoid contact with eyes, in case of contact rinse with plenty of water.
Do not use the product if you have a known allergy to any of its ingredients.
It is recommended that children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people using medication should consult their doctor before using shea butter.

ACADEMIC STUDIES

[1] Alander, J, Andersson, A C (2002) The Shea Butter Family – the Complete Emollient Range for Skin Care Formulations. Cosmetics and Toiletries Manufacture Worldwide, 2002: 28–32.

[2] Alander J (2004) Shea Butter- a Multi Functional Ingredient for Food and Cosmetics. Lipid Technol. 16:202-205.

[3] Sheperd M (2012) Winter Itch. Sheperd Integrative Dermatology Notebook.

[4] Loden M, Andersson A C (2008) Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin. British Journal of Dermatology. Volume 134, Issue 2, pp 215–220.

[5] K. Asemave, T. A. Asemave (2013). African Shea Butter as a Staple and Renewable Bioproduct. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), ISSN (Online): 2319-7064.

[6] R. D. Campo, Y. Zhang, C. Wakeford (2017). Effect of Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) Seed Oil (MFSO®) on the Measurable Improvement of Hair Breakage in Women with Damaged Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Nov; 10(11): 39–48.

[7] Hee S N (2011) Quality characteristics of West African Shea butter (Vitellaria paradoxa) and approaches to extend shelf-life. Masters of Science Thesis. Graduate School-New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

[8] G. Micali, V. Paternò, R. Cannarella, F. Dinotta, F. Lacarrubba (2018). Evidence-based treatment of atopic dermatitis with topical moisturizers. G Ital Dermatol Venereol, 2018 Jun;153(3):396-402.

[9] Nandini V Rina C Rakha H D, Hemant K G (2012). Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Shea Butter through Inhibition of Inos, Cox-2, and Cytokines via the Nf-Kb Pathway in Lps-Activated J774 Macrophage Cells. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 9(1) pp 1–11.

[10] J-H Kao, S-H Lin, C-F Lai, Y-C Lin, Z-L Kong, C-S Wong (2016). Shea Nut Oil Triterpene Concentrate Attenuates Knee Osteoarthritis Development in Rats: Evidence from Knee Joint Histology. PLoS One. 2016; 11(9): e0162022.

[11] K. A. Ajijolakewu, F. J. Awarun (2015). Comparative Antibacterial Efficacy of Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea Butter Tree) Extracts Against Some Clinical Bacterial. IsolatesNot Sci Biol, 2015, 7(3):264-268.

[12] J. W. Chinaka, N. Janfa, O. Afolabi, Y. Hussaini, S. Oladipo (2017). Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Vitellariaparadoxa Seed Oil Extracts on Staphylococcus Aureus and Candida Albicans. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 7, Issue 10, October 2017