African Shea Butter

African Shea Butter: 9 Amazing Health Benefits!

African Shea Butter is, a natural health & beauty aid, extracted from the nuts of the Shea-Karite tree. This tree can take up to 30 years to bear a quality crop of nuts with a high content of irremovable fatty acid. It’s this irremovable fat that contains important nutrients, vitamins, and other valuable phytonutrients required for healing, which makes African Shea Butter far superior to other natural butters and oils. In addition to moisturizing benefits, regular use of this natural butter has shown beneficial in treating many skin ailments, including blemishes, wrinkles, itching, sunburns, small skin wounds, eczema, skin allergies, diaper rash, insect bites, frost bite, and other skin conditions. It is because of these unique healing properties that the Shea Tree got its name, the Karite, which means the TREE OF LIFE.

Shea Butter is naturally rich in vitamins A, E & F. The cream is extracted and prepared without the use of chemicals. The best Shea Butter for skin use is prepared by cold press methods without use of added chemicals or preservatives.

1. Dry Skin

According to the American Shea Butter Institute, the moisturizers in shea butter are equivalent to what’s produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands, making it one of the best matches for dry skin. Wow, this has me thinking… Chronic dry scalp? Imagine what a little shea butter will do!?

2. Hair Benefits 

Shea butter is a very popular ingredient in hair care products and at this point, who’s surprised? It’s a natural hair conditioner. Its many hair benefits include sealing in moisture, defining curl, conditioning the scalp, alleviating dandruff and minimizing hair frizz.

3. Wrinkles/Complexion Benefits

There are claims that quality shea butter will diminish the appearance of wrinkles after four to six weeks of daily use. African Shea Butter contains triterpenes, which are naturally occurring chemical compounds thought to deactivate collagen fiber destruction. Hence, boosting collagen production and promoting new cell generation. Daily use may minimize the appearance of fine lines, resulting in plumper skin. Other expected results include a brighter and smoother complexion due to improvement of skin discolorations. If anyone decides to experiment with wrinkles, please leave a comment & share your results below!

4. Inflammation/Sore Muscles/Joint Pain

Shea butter has several anti-inflammatory agents, including derivatives of cinnamic acid. In a study on shea butter and its anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects published in the Journal of Oleo Science, researchers concluded that “shea nuts and shea fat (shea butter) constitute a significant source of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting compounds.” Muscles that have been overworked can be affected by inflammation & stiffness as your body tries to heal the muscle tissue. Shea butter may help sore muscles as well as joint pain by reducing inflammation.

5. Eczema/Psoriasis or Acne/Skin Rash

Shea Butter & Shea Nuts

Both eczema and acne require delicate treatments and in both cases, a natural product is favorable to one with synthetic ingredients/fragrances. For eczema, many say they like to soak in a tub then apply shea butter while still damp to lock in the moisture. For acne, suggestions include applying a thin layer to the face after cleansing and then rinsing it off after a few hours. These suggestions aren’t guaranteed, but with shea butter’s known healing properties, experimenting goes a long way. Comment below to let us know how you’ve used shea butter and the benefits you’ve seen when it comes to eczema, acne or psoriasis.

Shea Butter’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin and relieve itching almost immediately. This may prove helpful for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema & psoriasis. Since the butter absorbs fairly quickly, this could mean quick relief for flare-ups!  For a real treat, try our 100% Natural African Shea Butter, combined with African Black Soap (Liquid or Bar w/Hemp Oil).

Shea Butter restores moisture to your skin and locks it into your epidermis, so your skin doesn’t dry out or feel “stripped” of oil. This restoration of the natural balance of oils in your skin may help to prevent acne.

6. Excessively Dry Heels and Cuticles (Feet/Hands)

Many who suffer from painful cracked heels and dry cuticles claim that shea butter solves the problem. Here’s a DIY for chronically dry/cracked heels: Generously apply shea butter before bedtime and slip on a pair of cotton socks overnight. Your feet will feel wonderful in the morning!

7. Natural Sun Screen

Shea butter is high in vitamins A and E, as well as catechins and other significant plant antioxidants, which may protect skin from damage. There is evidence that suggests that cinnamic acid esters in shea fat also help to prevent damage from ultraviolet radiation.

8. Insect Bites & Bee Stings

Shea butter is amazing when it comes to bee stings & insect bites as it’s known to immediately stop the annoying mosquito itch. Its anti-inflammatory properties should take care of any swelling caused by the bite or sting.

9. Nasal Congestion

study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that shea butter was potentially more effective in treating nasal congestion than nasal drops. Subjects with congestion (mostly associated with seasonal allergy) were given 2-4 grams of shea butter applied to the interior of the nostril “by means of the subject’s right index finger.” The airways of those using the shea butter (opposed to those using nasal drops or petroleum jelly) became clear within 30 to 90 seconds of application, and remained so for 5 to 8 hours, better than the nasal drop treatment method!

It’s best to use raw or unrefined shea butter (grade A). The more refined the shea butter, the more additives it has. Unrefined shea butter is not smooth & creamy like lotion. Instead, it’s firm and oilier yet softens when warmed. It ranges in color from creamy off-white to yellow.

Why is Some Shea Butter Yellow?

Borututu Tree

In West Africa, there is a tree that’s been used for centuries to make teas and topical preparations that help detox and treat inflammations. The tree is called Borututu Tree, and is what gives yellow Shea Butter its rich color.

If you have tree nut allergies please consult with your physician before using shea butter.

Treat your skin to the below products from CarliesBeautySupply.com to get your glow on!

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