Description

Shea butter is edible fat extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree. It originated in Africa and specifically it comes from the so-called “African Shea Belt”. It is produced in about 21 countries but the most common sources of quality shea butter are Nigeria, Ghana and Northern Uganda. Shea butter is usually ivory in colour when it is raw and becomes white when processed. It is obtained by crushing, boiling and stirring the oil from the fruit kernel. It has a smooth, creamy consistency when refined and unrefined shea butter can sometimes feel grainy. It can be used as cooking oil as a substitute for butter, or oil.

Health benefits

• Shea butter has a fatty acid content, including stearic, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids that restore lipids and create moisture in the skin.⁽¹⁾
• It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.⁽¹⁾
• It may also help to reduce skin redness and swelling.⁽¹⁾
• It may help sore muscles by reducing inflammation.⁽¹⁾
• It helps to alleviate nasal congestion by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages.⁽¹⁾

Selection Guide

Look for the raw and unrefined version of shea butter. Also, check the smell of shea butter, it should be a little nutty or earthy.