What you should know about SHEA BUTTER
Shea Butter is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing
Varieties-vitellaria paradoxa and vitellaria nilotica
Constituents-Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin F, olein
Processing-raw or unrefined, refined, ultra-refined
Uses-skin and hair
Varieties
Vitellaria paradoxa comes from West Africa—Ghana, Burkina Faso, etc. It is usually processed in Europe and then sent to the US. It is pale cream color, firm with a somewhat gritty texture and melts with hand friction. If you purchase a shea butter product that is labeled simply as butyrospermum parkii, this is probably the variety used. The paradoxa variety is plentiful and generally less expensive, but not always.
Vitellaria nilotica comes from East Africa—Uganda and the Sudan. Creamy in consistency, pale in color, V. nilotica has a nutty aroma many find pleasant. It has a soft, creamy texture that is easy to spread and melts readily. Because of the political unrest in Uganda and the Sudan, the V. nilotica variety is more difficult to obtain. Fortunately, Leyden House has been able to obtain V. nilotica shea from an approved mill in Uganda. Removing the middleman has allowed us to purchase Certified Organic Shea at a reasonable price.
Constituents
Raw shea butter is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Vitamin F (linoleic acid).
The Vitamin A in shea butter helps heal skin: eczema, blemishes, dermatitis, insect bites, frostbite, and sunburn. Wrinkles as well as other conditions improve with the use of shea butter. Shea butter is a superb moisturizer for it contains oils similar to the oils secreted by the skin’s sebaceous glands.
The Vitamin E in shea butter may contribute anti-aging and anti-free radical properties to the skin by increasing micro-circulation. Increasing micro-circulation increases re-oxygenation and improves the removal of metabolic waste.
Vitamin F, essential fatty acids, contributes a growth-promoting factor necessary for healthy skin and hair. Helps maintain resilience and lubrication to the skin and hair. It is beneficial for acne, dandruff, dry hair, eczema, and weak nails.
Olein is the liquid fat portion of shea butter and provides the most therapeutic value. East African shea has 9% and West African has 5% olein.
Processing
Raw shea butter is minimally processed. It is crushed, cleaned with water, and filtered. No chemicals or solvents are used in the processing and the healing constituents remain undamaged. It can be creamy, yellowish, or grayish in color and has a distinctive nutlike aroma. It should never be green.
Refined shea has been more highly processed. It may be bleached or otherwise treated. It is usually lighter in color and essentially odorless. Most of the therapeutic constituents are somewhat reduced.
Ultra-refined shea butter has been chemically treated. It is pure white and odorless. The therapeutic properties have been removed, but may still be used as a moisturizer. There may be some residual trace chemicals, so use in creams and lotions is not advised. Can be used as an alternative to cocoa butter in soap making.
Uses (raw)
Relieves dry skin
Heals and soothes skin rashes
Heals blemishes
Reduces wrinkles (4-6 weeks)
Soothes and heals sunburned skin
Helps heal small wounds
Relieves itching skin immediately
Heals and protects cracked skin
Softens rough and tough skin on heels, elbows, and knees
Protects skin from cold weather
Treats frostbite
Helps prevent stretch marks
Heals and soothes insect bites
Soothes poison ivy and poison oak
Soothes and heals eczema
Soothes and heals dermatitis
Mild UV protection
Helps heal burns
Relieves dry, itchy scalp
Softens and shines dry, brittle hair
Protects babies from diaper rash
Relieves diaper rash
Helps dry, brittle nails
Promotes and maintains supple, soft, healthy skin and hair
Leyden House Ltd. 800-754-0668 www.leydenhouse.com
