Shea butter: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Sheabutterloccitane.JPG|thumb|right|Shea butter in a small tin for cosmetic use.]] |
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'''Shea butter''' or '''Shea nut butter''' is a slightly yellowish or ivory colored natural [[fat]] extracted from the [[seed]] of the [[shea]] tree by crushing and boiling. Shea butter is widely used in [[Cosmetics|cosmetics]] as a moisturizer and salve cream. Shea butter is also edible, used in food preparation as well as sometimes in the [[chocolate]] industry substituting for [[cocoa butter]]. |
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The shea or karite tree called formerly ''Butyrospermum paradoxum'', is now ''[[Vitellaria paradoxa]]''. It produces its first fruit (which resemble large [[plum]]s) when it is about 20 years old and reaches its full production when the tree is about 45 years old. It produces nuts for up to 200 years after reaching maturity. |
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Many vernacular names are used for ''Vitellaria'', which is a reflection of its extensive range of occurrence—nearly 5,000km from [[Senegal]] (west) to [[Uganda]] (east) across the [[Africa]]n continent. The nomenclature history and synonymy of the shea tree followed a very tortuous evolution since the oldest recorded specimen collected by a European—[[Scottish people|Scottish]] explorer [[Mungo Park (explorer)|Mungo Park]]—dated [[May 26]], [[1797]]. It eventually arrived at the name ''vitellaria'' with subspecies ''paradoxa'' and ''nilotica''. It usually grows to an average height of about 15m with profuse branches and a thick waxy and deeply fissured bark that makes it fire resistant. |
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The shea tree grows naturally in the wild in the dry [[savannah]] belt of West Africa from Senegal in the west to [[Sudan]] in the east, and onto the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. It occurs in 19 countries across the African continent, namely [[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Cameroon]], [[Central African Republic]], [[Chad]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Ghana]], [[Guinea Bissau]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Mali]], [[Niger]], [[Nigeria]], [[Senegal]], [[Sierra Leone]], [[Sudan]], [[Togo]], [[Uganda]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Guinea]]. |
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[[Image:Vitellaria paradoxa distribution.png|thumb|Distribution of shea trees]] |
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In Ghana (FAO, 1988a), it occurs extensively in the Guinea savannah and less abundantly in the Sudan Savannah. The shea tree occurs over almost the entire area of Northern Ghana, over about 77,670 square kilometers in Western Dagomba, Southern Mamprusi, Western Gonja, Lawra, Tumu, Wa and Nanumba with Eastern Gonja having the densest stands. There is sparse shea tree cover found in Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, and the Eastern and Volta regions in the south of the country. |
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== Properties == |
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Shea butter is known especially for its [[Cosmetics|cosmetic]] properties as a [[moisturizer]] [[cream]] and [[emulsion]] . Some claim that it is also an [[anti-inflammatory]] agent.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}Shea butter is marketed as being effective at treating the following conditions: fading [[scars]], [[eczema]], [[Burn (injury)|burns]], [[rash]]es, [[acne]], severely dry skin, [[blemish]]es, dark spots, skin discolorations, [[chapped lips]], [[stretchmarks]], [[wrinkles]], and in lessening the [[irritation]] of [[psoriasis]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Shea butter provides natural [[ultraviolet]] [[sun]] protection, although the level of protection is extremely variable, ranging from nothing to approximately SPF 6.{{Fact|date=July 2009}} Shea butter absorbs rapidly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. In Nigeria, it is known to be very effective in the management of sinusitis and relief of nasal congestion.<ref>Tella, A, Br (1979) "Preliminary studies on nasal decongestant activity from the seed of the shea butter tree, Butyrospermum parkii", ''J Clin Pharmacol'', May;'''7'''(5):495-7.</ref> This is due to its hydrating properties which helps in relaxing the tension in the face skin thus easing respiration. Scarcity of supply results in an erratic market price 2005.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} |
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== History == |
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European botanists are said to have come across the shea tree recording the genus family [[sapotaceae]] of the plant cirka late eighteenth century as traded by merchants of the age. [[Ashanti]], [[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso|Burkinabe]], [[Mali|Malian]], and other [[spice|spice merchants]] actively traded extracts in early cultures as far as [[Meroë]] and [[Kingdom of Kush]] head way waters by the [[Blue Nile]] channeled by [[Aswan]] supported rivers. |
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== Uses == |
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[[File:hamer_girl.jpg|thumb|right|Local woman.]] |
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[[File:hesoap.jpg|thumb|right|Shea butter soap.]]<br> |
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Shea butter can be found in many high end moisturizing personal care products. Shea butter extract is known for its skin softening effect, it is also used in [[hair conditioner]]s to add and maintain [[moisture]] in dry brittle [[hair]]; in addition to retaining softness<!-- What does revitalizing mean here? Can it be changed to something clearer as to what it claims (i.e. clearer as to how one would measure it) and less like advertising speak? --> and preventing breakage. |
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Handcrafted shea butter is used in [[Burkina Faso]], [[Liberia]], [[Sierra Leone]] and [[Togo]] for ceremonies among the [[Fulani]] and Mano River ethnic groups. |
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It is a acclaimed natural butter derived from the Shea Karite tree growing across Africa and hoticultured in other regions by agricooperatives. |
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Many carvers of [[djembe]] husks and other african [[drum]]s used from [[zouk]] to [[soca music]] have traditional instrument gourds using shea extract to condition the wood for durability; butter oil extract is also used to condition the leather binds of these instruments. |
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Shea butter is a favorite among soapmakers it is typically used in small amounts (5-7% of the oils in the recipe). Shea butter extract is a complex fat that contains many non-saponifiable components (cannot be fully converted into soap.) Thus the shea butter leaves a small amount of oil in the soap, which seals moisture into the skin after washing.; the product is widely used in luxury end cosmetics as a moisturizer salve. |
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With regular use Shea Butter evens skin tone and returns skin to a natural luster, melting at body temperature, it absorbs quickly and completely into the skin without leaving a noticable oily residue. Shea Butter penetrates deep into the skin to rehydrate and promote cell growth. |
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Toilet paper manufacturer [[Andrex]] released a Shea Butter enriched toilet roll to the UK market in Summer 2009. |
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In North America shea butter is added to some brands of paper tissue (e.g. Puffs Plus) which is fabric softener to give additional texture. Baby wipes Huggies also use simular tissue softeners in thier product brands. |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{wiktionary}} |
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{{fatsandoils}} |
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[[Category:Cooking fats]] |
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[[Category:Skin care]] |
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[[Category:Anti-inflammatory agents]] |
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[[Category:Vegetable oils]] |
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[[de:Karitébaum#Sheabutter]] |
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[[fr:Beurre de karité]] |
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[[ja:シアバター]] |
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[[pl:Masło shea]] |
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[[sv:Sheasmör]] |
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