Various uses by the African tradition
African populations using Shea butter since ancient times. Considered sacred by the natives, the Butyrospermun parkii is called "tree of health and youth" because of its beneficial properties, both as a cosmetic portentous for skin beauty and as a natural remedy to soothe muscle aches, or to heal irritation and skin lesions. African women, known for their smooth and velvety, in fact, use Shea Butter for generations, as a beauty remedy to get that soft, youthful face, but also to protect the skin from the aggression of sunlight and of atmospheric agents. Of medicines, it was already being used as therapeutic massage balm to soothe painful joints and muscles and to treat skin abrasions, minor cuts and abrasions, also to avoid infections after scarification rituals. In Africa, Shea Butter is also used for food purposes, such as energy nourishment during periods of famine and usually as a seasoning in the preparation of traditional dishes, just as we use the butter and oil, or in typical sauces, giving the dishes a delicate sweetish taste.
Production and use
Shea Butter is extracted on the site, the collection of nuts is an activity performed by women in African villages, which collect only the seeds that fell to the ground, leaving those present on the tree without even strike him, respecting the natural rhythms. The production of Shea Butter is entirely handmade. The kernels are first selected and stripped by hand, then dried (or roasted) and then crushed. The result is a paste to which water is added, blended manually; the mixture is boiled and filtered to remove any impurities.
At the end of the machining process it yields a buttery substance of cream-colored yellowish that is employed pure, or at the base of cosmetic products, along with other natural oils. In Africa, indigenous peoples are using all parts of the Shea tree. The pulp of the fruit, tart but pleasant, is eaten as is, or cooked; the residues from the processing become food for pets, the lipid portion is also used to make candles or soaps; the latex is used to produce natural glue or as the basis of chewing gum; the tree wood is used to build huts and local crafts to cooking utensils.
Shea butter is good for your skin
So we come to the characteristics that make the Shea Butter is an excellent and versatile natural cosmetic product, which may very well replace the commonly used creams, both for the face and for the body. Shea Butter has, in fact, many beneficial properties for the care and beauty of the skin. It moisturizes, nourishes, protects, soothes and heals, but not only, it is also an emollient and elastic great. The feature that makes it so unique is its high content of unsaponifiable substances (ie which are not soluble even with soda). This gives the shea butter quality to make the skin supple and toned at the same time, also shielding it from external aggression with a lipid film, but did not cling to the pores. It protects it from weather influences such as wind and cold. It also goes well on chapped lips instead of cocoa butter; kept in a small jar you can always keep in her purse. The Shea Butter protects the skin even smog of the city, so ideal especially for those who travel by bike. It also has a good shielding action of UV rays which gives the mild sunscreen properties, thus protecting the skin from the harmful radiation. It can be used neat, or, in the event of strong sunlight, and especially in the presence of clear skin types, as a basis under the protective cream, especially in summer or in places where the sun's rays are particularly strong, as in the high mountains or at low latitudes . Another wondrous qualities of Shea Butter is that it improves the microcirculation of capillaries and re-oxygenates the tissues, what gives brightness to the complexion, giving skin a healthy glow; for this same reason it is also recommended for people suffering from rosacea.
Other cosmetic uses of Shea Butter
Shea Butter is a perfect anti-aging. It prevents wrinkles, thanks to the presence of unsaponifiables, which stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, making the skin of the face and neck much more supple and toned at the same time. Counteracts cell aging, for its action against free radicals, so that softens existing wrinkles, and even death in some cases they disappear, giving compactness also now mature skin. Shea Butter is also great as a base for make-up. Pregnant, prevents and reduces stretch marks, localized on the abdomen and breasts, as well as care and soothes cracked nipples of the breast during lactation. It also protects the delicate skin of babies, from redness and irritation caused by diaper. Also useful for the face of men, to be used as an emollient poultice before shaving and as a soothing after-shave, to relieve from any irritation caused by shaving. It's good as a basis for removing hair from the legs of women. After the shower, on damp skin, it moisturizes and protects the skin of the whole body. Used instead of hand cream, it nourishes and protects dry skin and strengthens brittle nails. Excellent as a balm for dry and stressed hair, to make them softer, Shea Butter is applied on the damaged tips before shampooing, or on the scalp in case of dryness, irritation, dermatitis and dandruff. It can also be used instead of hairspray to fix the locks, or replace the wax on short hair.
medicinal properties of Shea Butter
Rich in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B, D, E and F, the Shea Butter is an excellent cell regenerator, in case of dry and dehydrated skin. Thanks also to its healing, antiseptic and antibacterial, it is useful to treat rashes and sunburn, minor burns, rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, insect bites, itching, excessive dryness, cracking and other skin irritations. For example, it is great for areas particularly delicate or rough the body such as elbows, heels, but it's good enough to soften the calluses feet and hands, as well as on the scars. Or to regenerate the skin abrasions or been covered for so long under hard bandages or casts, as well as to alleviate bedsores in bedridden patients. Thanks to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, Shea Butter is also used in massage to relieve rheumatic pains, joint and muscle, or in the case of bruises.
where to find it
Shea butter can be found in health food stores, in specialty organic stores or online, but now even in supermarkets. Always pay attention to 'INCI cosmetics you buy, the Shea Butter is labeled Butyrospermun parkii butter or as Sea Butter. Always choose a pure product to 100%, from organic cultivation, possibly respecting the short chain preferring fair trade. Consistency very compact, the Shea Butter, however, is easy to spread, just take a small amount between your fingers and quickly melts in your fingertips, turning into a delicate cream immediate absorption, without leaving the unpleasant "greasy effect." If you want a softer product, however, you can prepare a cream do-it-yourself mixing 120 ml Shea Butter along with 30 ml of a cosmetic oil of natural origin, such as sweet almond oil. If you want you can add a few drops of an essential oil to taste (vanilla or lavender), to give the fragrance you want.
