SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii), also known as karite butter, is a cream-colored fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees (also called Mangifolia trees) that grow in the savannah regions of West and Central Africa. Karite trees, or Shea trees, are not cultivated. They grow only in the wild, and can take up to 50 years to mature (they live up to 300 years!). In most parts of West Africa, destruction of the Shea tree is prohibited because this little nut provides a valuable source of food, medicine, and income for the population. In fact, Shea Butter is sometimes referred to as “women’s gold” in Africa, because so many women are employed in the production of Shea Butter. It known as ORI in the West and OKUME amongst the IGALA speaking people of Kogi State. The Trees are found around Middle belt region of Nigeria (Kogi, Nassarawa, Benue, Niger, Plateau and Kwara) North East (Taraba), some parts of the south west Region (Oyo, Ogun and Osun). It comes in white or light yellow, depending on the method of production, whatever the colour; the properties do not really differ. It is available at local herbal shops in some markets, sold in very small wraps for as low as N 50 and it comes in containers as much as N 300 but it can be gotten at interior local villages in large quantities.
Shea nuts are primarily grown in West and Central Africa in the semi-arid Sahel,referred to by traders as the "Shea Belt". Vitellaria paradoxa and Vitellaria nilotica are the two main varieties. Vitellaria paradoxais exported in the largest volume and grows throughout the West African region. Vitellaria nilotica is produced primarily in Northern Uganda and southern Sudan. Shea nut products, the solid fat (butter or stearin) and the liquid oil (olein), are ideal for use as raw materials in cooking oil,margarine, cosmetics, soap, detergents and candles, but it has found its primary market niche as a substitute for cocoa butter in the chocolate and confectionery industry.
Shea butter 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.
Shea butter is a particularly effective moisturizer because contains so many fatty acids, which are needed to retain skin moisture and elasticity. The high fatty acid content of Shea Butter also makes it an excellent additive to soap, shampoos, anti-aging creams, cosmetics, lotions, and massage oils—its soft, butter-like texture melts readily into the skin. Shea butter protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A and E, and has demonstrated both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Unrefined Shea Butter is superior in that it retains all its natural vitamins, especially vitamin A and vitamin E. However, the natural smell of Shea can be a bit off-putting (stinky), though the aroma does disappear after it has been applied to your skin within minutes. You can also buy ultra-refined and refined Shea Butter. Both of these types have a more pleasing scent, colour, and consistency, although the refining process may diminish the vitamin potency. Not all Shea Butter products are created equal, and some products contain a significant amount of potentially irritating additives and very little real Shea Butter. That said, one hundred percent natural Shea Butter is a handy thing to have around the house. It can be used as an all-natural hair conditioner, moisturizer, and makeup remover, or as a treatment for burns, cuts, scrapes, sunburns, and diaper rash.
The concept is to source for Shea Butter Locally, Process it locally with the women around that area into buckets and then it will be packaged. After which it will available for sale. The source will be from the very best and the region with the best processing method. The whole process will be cost effective, to make it affordable, quality will not be compromised, the reason it will be hand-made processing the nuts, a process that will prevent loss of major nutrients and minerals, the very essence of natural Shea Butter. The sale of essential oil will compliment it; this gives target consumers the choice to mix it with the Shea Butter for those who will not like the natural smell. This will be pure, it will be sourced and processed locally, the essence it to retain the properties, the essence of nature. Mixing Shea Butter with some additives will alter the effectiveness as some properties will be lost. Traditionally, Shea Butter has proven to be effective used alone, even though some users mix with other local materials because of majorly the smell.
USES
Shea butter 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.
Shea butter is a particularly effective moisturizer because contains so many fatty acids, which are needed to retain skin moisture and elasticity. The high fatty acid content of shea butter also makes it an excellent additive to soap, shampoos, anti-aging creams, cosmetics, lotions, and massage oils—its soft, butter-like texture melts readily into the skin.
Shea butter protects the skin from both environmental and free-radical damage. It contains vitamins A and E, and has demonstrated both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Shea butter is already added to many cosmetic products, but you can also purchase 100 percent pure shea butter at most health food stores and from online distributors. Unrefined shea butter is superior in that it retains all its natural vitamins, especially vitamin A and vitamin E. However, the natural smell of shea can be a bit off-putting (stinky), though the aroma does disappear after it has been applied to your skin within minutes. You can also buy ultra-refined and refined shea butter. Both of these types are have a more pleasing scent, color, and consistency, although the refining process may diminish the vitamin potency.
Many online distributors sell shea butter in various sizes, containers, prices, and types, but make sure to do your research before buying them—not all shea butter products are created equal, and some products contain a significant amount of potentially irritating additives and very little real shea butter. That said, one hundred percent natural shea butter is a handy thing to have around the house. It can be used as an all-natural hair conditioner, moisturizer, and makeup remover, or as a treatment for burns, cuts, scrapes, sunburns, and diaper rash. Shea butter may also help treat skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis; however, keep in mind that you should always consult a physician or dermatologist about serious or persistent skin problems. Shea butter is not recommended for people with nut or latex allergies.
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