Discovering The Benefits Of African Shea Butter
African Shea butter originated over 2,000 years ago from the Karite Nut Tree
, found only in West Africa. After 20 years the Karite Nut Tree grows dark green fruits and from June to July these fruits fall to the ground and are harvested by those of West Africa. Each fruit contains a nut but before collecting the fruits and extracting the nuts a prayer is said to thank mother-nature for her gift. This has been the tradition for years in The Republic of Ghana. After the nuts are taken from the fruit they are crushed and boiled, which results in a natural fat that is slightly yellow in color. Since Shea butter is all natural it can sometimes vary in color. It has a creamy substance that is edible and even sometimes used in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter, although it is most commonly used in skin care products.African Shea butter has been dated back to Cleopatra, who mentions having clay jars full of this cream for cosmetic use. Some benefits it may have on your skin:
* Dry skin relief
* Dry scalp
* Skin rash- including diaper rash
* Skin peeling, after tanning
* Reduces blemishes and wrinkles
* Itching skin due to dryness
* Sunburn
* Small skin wounds
* Skin cracks
* Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels)
* Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy
* Minor burns
* Eczema
* Sun and wind protection
* Even skin tone
* Reduce scarring
* Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing
* Preventing bumps after shaving
* Reducing acne (especially in combination with African Black Soap)
* Helps restore elasticity to skin
African Shea butter is not limited to cooking and cosmetics. It was traditionally used for water proofing wax, improve durability of wood in instruments, hairdressing, candle making, and medical ointments. In Nigeria, it is used to cure sinusitis and nasal congestion. Its hydrating properties relax the face skin which eases respiration. Shea butter has only recently been exported for use on other continents.
Beyond Africa, African Shea butter is most commonly used in cosmetics, such as moisturizing creams and conditioners for damaged hair. It has proved to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks. It is a solid, but turns to liquid at body temperature so that it can hydrate deep into the skin without clogging pores like some other moisturizing creams. African Shea butter is used in many skin care products such as age defying creams because it is composed of all natural ingredients including vitamins A, E and F. It is also gaining recognition for being particularly effective for cancer patients who experience extreme dry and cracked skin during chemotherapy. Other more modern uses of it include:
* Hair conditioners
* Chocolate fillings
* Soaps
* Sun blocking lotion
* Leather conditioners
Aside from producing African Shea Butter, the Karite tree was also used to carve coffins for many Africans kings. Africans felt the need to do what they could with what was left of the tree because they could not be transported or replanted in those times. Recently, it has been produced in some parts of Eastern Africa. Europeans no longer control the export of Shea butter so the possibilities are becoming endless.
Shea butters that are produced from chemicals to imitate the natural African Shea butter aren't nearly as beneficial for the skin. Many of the chemicals clog pores or cause further damage to the skin. One hundred percent all natural Shea butter have been found to be the most beneficial.
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