Did You Know?
Shea butter is made from an edible fruit from the karité grown in Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso and other Savannah grasslands of West Africa. The English word shea comes from s'í, the tree's name in the Bamana language of Mali. The French name karité comes from ghariti, its equivalent in the Wolof language of Senegal.
Shea butter is collected, processed and used locally in much the same way that it was 2,000 years ago, although large cosmetic companies buy the raw nut at rock bottom prices, then process, refine, deodorize and decolourize it fully in Europe.
Shea Fruit is delicious when it matures from June to August, the middle of the rainy season. The heavy rains drive the shea fruit onto the ground. Traditionally the fruits are eaten fresh and not preserved.
Gathering the Shea Nuts is often just a part of eating the fruit. During shea fruit season every house has a basket where the Shea Nuts (which are at the centre of the fruit like a peach stone) are deposited after the fruit is eaten. Women will scour the savannah and bush, gathering basketfuls of Shea Nuts and then walking miles back to their villages, carrying them in baskets on their heads. Gathering the Shea Nuts, along with all the other steps of the process, is a social activity.
The sale of shea butter is allowing many women to take control of their economic destiny and is providing the resources to allow children to go to school and families to thrive.
~ The Shea Tree is known to be planted by at least three species of fruit bats in Western Africa.
~ The Shea Tree has been part of Central and Western African daily life for centuries.
~ The Shea fruit, butter and oil are an important source of calories for Central African people.
~ The Shea Tree's roots, bark, leaves, oil and butter are used to treat many, many different medical conditions.
~ The Shea Tree has spiritual significance for Central and Western African people.
~ Shea Butter, from the kernel of the Shea fruit seed or nut, is traditionally made and sold by women. It is an increasingly important global commodity. The money from the fair trade sale of Shea Butter through womens' cooperatives gives an economic advantage to poor, illiterate women in some of Africa's poorest countries.
~ In Africa the Shea Tree is also known as Karite. Karite is an African word which means "life".
~ Karite grows wild from seed. Seed-planting fruit bats help to ensure continued life for this tree of life.
Benefits of Shea Butter
Moisturizing Treatment for Various Skin Ailments
contains vitamins A, E, D, and F
promotes healing for cracked heels
moisturizes skin & scalp
ideal for processed or heat treated hair
penetrates deep into the skin to help restore elasticity, revitalizes and softens plus maintains moisture.
Shea promotes cell regeneration and capillary circulation.
This is an asset against skin aging because it has restructuring effects on the epidermis.
Its anti-elastic characteristics make it a good active ingredient against stretch marks.
Shea has a multitude of known uses!
MEDICINAL USES:
Itching
Eczema
Psoriasis
Dermatitis
Skin Ulcer
Diaper Rash
Aid for Cracked Skin/Heels
Minor Cuts & Bruises
Relieves swelling and Arthritis
Relaxes muscles and stiffness
Eliminates Superficial Tissue
Soothes and Heals Razor Bumps
Heals skin redness after waxing
Heals Burns and Sunburn
Promotes Healing
Insect Bites
Poison Ivy
COSMETIC USES:
Stretch Marks
Dark Spots
Facial Moisturizer
Blemishes
Eye Bags
Minor Scars
Chapped Lips
Evens Skin Tone
No greasy residue
Absorbs Quickly into the Skin
Keeps Skin Clear & Smooth
Returns Lustre to Skin & Hair
Does Not Clog Pores or Hair Shaft
Buy scrump-dilly-icious shea butter in bulk by the 100g here:
(now offered in 3 varieties!) http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/219