SHEA BUTTER, CONTENTS AND HEALTH BENEFITS

Shea butter 

INTRODUCTION : Shea Butter (ori),  as the igbos call it,  has been in existence, and has been used by our parents even before  we were born. It has always been a basic first aid treatment used by our old parents and grandparents on aches, pains and inflammations way back in the old,  in most African homes. I grew up watching my mother apply it on aching muscles and inflamed parts of the body when there are drastic falls from heights, as well as on joints, skin, etc.

Shea butter is gotten from the seeds of the fruits of SHEA TREE(karite). Some studies have stated that,  the fat of the nut of the African Shea tree (vitellaria paradoxa) is the source of Shea butter. The consensus however is that SHEA BUTTER is an off-white fatty substance obtained from the nuts of the Shea tree from West Africa. The picture above and below depicts it.

Shea butter 

In contemporary times however, Shea butter has been proven to be useful in cosmetology, basically talking about beauty and hair products, notwithstanding it's other health benefits. Shea butter is rich in vitamins A, E and F.  It offers ultra violet protection and has been used in Africa for years to improve skin and hair quality and growth.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information, published a study indicating that (Shea nuts and Shea fat- that is shea butter), constitute a significant source of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting compounds. Another study from the American Journal of Life Sciences claims that (Shea butter boosts collagen production) hence demonstrating anti-aging properties.

Shea butter is smooth in texture and does not liquify at room temperature; however, it will soften in your hands, making  it easy to apply. It could be melted or liquefied under the sun, as natural heat or in a low flame. Below  is the melted or liquefied version of the Shea butter

Shea oil

HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF SHEA BUTTER:

(1) GOOD MOISTURIZER: Shea butter is rich in natural vitamins and fatty acids. This makes it an incredible skin moisturizer.  It is a good remedy for dry skin, and equally helps protect the skins natural oils. 

(2) REDUCES INFLAMMATION: Shea butter is rich in CINNAMIC ACID (an organic compound, a white crystalline compound that is slightly soluble in water and freely soluble in many organic solvents.) Within the chains of cinnamic acid is LUPEOL CINNAMATE.  Studies have shown that shea butter contains lupeol cinnamate.  This compound was found to reduce skin inflammation and  also help to avoid skin mutations, such as acne. 

(3) SMOOTHENS THE SKIN: Shea butter aids in natural collagen production of the skin. It's content of OLEIC ACID,  STEARIC ACID,  PALMITIC ACID,  LINOLENIC ACID (these  are all saturated fatty acids  that are good for the body, skin and hair) helps protect and nourish the skin and prevents it from drying.

(4) REDUCES WRINKLES : The various saturated fatty acid content of Shea butter helps it keep at bay age related wrinkles, stretch marks,  blemishes as well as softening the skin.

(5) ANTI -TUMOR: The LUPEOL CINNAMATE content of Shea butter helps prevent tumor development in carcinogenesis tests.  This means Shea butter can help inhibit cancer development.

(6) RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Shea butter is rich in CATECHINS, this is a type of antioxidant also found in green tea. Antioxidants as you know wards of free radicals from the body system, and protects the cells from damage

(7) RICH IN VITAMINS A, E, AND F: Shea butter is rich in this vitamins, and this vitamins are antioxidant in nature, or fat soluble vitamins that are eye,  heart and skin  friendly. Vitamin F is basically fatty acids such as omega 3 or linolenic acid and omega 6 or linoleic acid. Vitamin E,  is antioxidant in nature,  protects cells  from damage, and repairs damaged cells. Vitamin A, best for vision, and protects against macular degeneration and age related cataracts.

OTHER BENEFITS YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN:

(a)  Shea butter eases off muscle fatigue: Massage on affected muscle, you get a relief after a few days. 

(b) Shea butter stops hair breakage: Apply on hair and scalp, daily for better results 

(c) Perfect for hair treatment: Shea butter,grows your hair, makes it soft,  silky, lustrous and fuller.  Mix with coconut oil and apply on hair daily till result is achieved.

(d) Darkens the hair and forstalls the growth of grey hair:  Applying Shea butter daily on your hair will darken the hair and stop the growth of grey hair.  It equally turns  already  grey hair black. You can achieve this  by using Shea  butter on your hair daily. Use till result is achieved. 

(e)  Shea butter softens your palms.  No need  using processed hand creams. Shea  butter is in your local market, purchase and use. 

(f)  Evens Tone and Removes Dark Age Spots: Applying Shea butter mixed  with coconut oil is perfect for the removal of freckles, dark aged spots and blemishes. Apply  on affected area, till result is achieved.

(g)  Eases off cough: A tablespoon of warm Shea oil mixed  with a pinch  of salt, eases off chronic cough. This I think  is as a result of its vitamin E content as well as the essential fatty acid content of vitamin F. 

(h)  Eye Bag Reducer And Under Eye Wrinkle Remover: Applying Shea butter under your eyelids at night before going to bed could help reduce eye bag as well as under eye wrinkle. Apply daily before bedtime, till result is achieved.

(I)  Natural Foundation: Applying Shea butter on your face and eye lids could help  your make up last longer.  It's a natural foundation.  This benefit is basically because of its content of STEARIC ACID(a waxy solid,  it fulfills the role of thickner or Gardner in cosmetic products)

(j)  Makes a great lip balm,  keeps the lips soft and succulent. Apply directly on lips,  then apply your lip gloss if you need to

The health and cosmetic benefits of shea butter is inexhaustible, the vitamin A,  E, and F  Content are all beneficial to the heart, eye, Skin and hair. The numerous  fatty acid content makes it an essential ingredients in cosmetic and hair products, as well as home remedies. The cinnamic acid content,  such as lupeol cinnamate makes  it anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor, hence plays a big role in the relief of aches and pains and the reduction of tumor swelling. 

Ensure you have Shea butter amongst  your first aid kits  in your homes, you never know when there will be a need.  

Comments and contributions will be welcomed.