Botanical Name: Butyrospermmum parkiiOrigin: Africa
Texture: Butter-like solid
Melting point: 89-95oC
Shea butter, the beige coloured creamy solid that readily melts in the hand is derived from the seed of shea tree(karate nut tree: vitellaria paradoxa) found in the semi arid west and central Africa.
It comes from the large shiny brown seed (shea nut) contained in the egg shaped green fruit of the shea tree. Every part of the shea tree useful t man as a source of fuel(wood), food, income, raw materials etc.
SHEA BUTTER EXTRACTION
Shea butter processing is historically done by village women as passed down to them through their elders. To produce shea butter, the nuts picked from the shea tree are cracked, grilled and pounded by hand. They are then boiled in water until the oil rises to the surface of the kettle. The when scooped into a gourd is then allowed to cool which thickens into a butter-like consistency referred to as the shea butter.
USING SHEA BUTTER
Although shea-butter’s melting point is 89-95oC, it readily melt in the hand. This quick rate of absorbability make is effect almost immediate especially on the skin. There are many different uses for shea butter. Highlighted below are some of the ways it may be used.
· Add a spoonful to your bath. This is especially helpful for those with dry and itchy skin, or some muscles.
· In massage, Shea butter can be used to soothe overexerted muscles, sprains, dislocations, etc.
· Shea butter which has a conditioning effect can be added as recipe for handmade soaps
· Massage into the scalp to heal dry scalp symptoms and stimulates hair growth
· May be used also by pregnant women to keep the skin supple and prevent stretch mark even after birth
It comes from the large shiny brown seed (shea nut) contained in the egg shaped green fruit of the shea tree. Every part of the shea tree useful t man as a source of fuel(wood), food, income, raw materials etc.
SHEA BUTTER EXTRACTION
Shea butter processing is historically done by village women as passed down to them through their elders. To produce shea butter, the nuts picked from the shea tree are cracked, grilled and pounded by hand. They are then boiled in water until the oil rises to the surface of the kettle. The when scooped into a gourd is then allowed to cool which thickens into a butter-like consistency referred to as the shea butter.
USING SHEA BUTTER
Although shea-butter’s melting point is 89-95oC, it readily melt in the hand. This quick rate of absorbability make is effect almost immediate especially on the skin. There are many different uses for shea butter. Highlighted below are some of the ways it may be used.
· Add a spoonful to your bath. This is especially helpful for those with dry and itchy skin, or some muscles.
· In massage, Shea butter can be used to soothe overexerted muscles, sprains, dislocations, etc.
· Shea butter which has a conditioning effect can be added as recipe for handmade soaps
· Massage into the scalp to heal dry scalp symptoms and stimulates hair growth
· May be used also by pregnant women to keep the skin supple and prevent stretch mark even after birth
1 comment:
Tell more about this shea butter stuff I'm interested.
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