Shea Butter is a fat extracted from the plum like fruits (nuts) of the African Shea tree. Shea butter is the result of the cold pressing of the fruit. It is usually yellow in color when raw, with Unrefined, Refined, and Ultra-Refined Shea butter being ivory or white in color. It is widely used in cosmetics as a superb moisturizer, salve or lotion with exceptional healing properties for the skin.
SHEA BUTTER HISTORY – CLEOPATRA USED SHEA BUTTER!!! OMG!!!!
The history of shea butter goes back as early as Ancient Egypt, where there are even historical accounts of Cleopatra traveling with large clay jars of shea butter as part of her legendary beauty regimen while abroad in the hot deserts of Egypt. The Shea tree is considered sacred by many tribes in Africa and respected leaders were buried in caskets made from shea tree wood.
BUTTER EXTRACTION – 8 step process on how Shea butter is prepared
- The shell is cracked by hand in order to release the shea nut. This is a social activity, traditionally done by women elders and girls who sit on the ground and break the shells with small rocks.
- The nuts are washed and left to dry in order to remove the moisture.
- The nuts are pounded and crushed into small pieces.
- The small pieces are roasted and transformed into a paste with a dark chocolate color.
- Water is added to form a paste and the mixture is whipped and mixed very well.
- The paste is purified by washing it over and over with distilled water.
- The paste is then heated and purified over fire, so the fats rise to the top and the oil settles at the bottom.
- The fat is then skimmed off while the oil settles at the bottom. The oil becomes hard, formed into balls and is then used as Shea butter.
MANY USES OF SHEA BUTTER
• Excellent daily skin moisturizer for face and body
• Dramatically helps prevent and reduce stretch marks during pregnancy and weight gain and loss
• Restores elasticity to skin and reduces blemishes and wrinkles
• Anti-aging and anti-free radical agent known to increase circulation to the skin
• Helps reduces acne and scarring
• Excellent moisturizer for both eczema and psoriasis
• Helps soothe skin and diaper rash
• After sun conditioning
• Helps softens tough skin on hands and feet
• Dry, itchy skin and scalp relief
• Use after shaving to reduce razor irritation and bumps
• Provides healing benefits to skin wounds and cracks
• Restores luster to hair
WHO SHOULD USE SHEA BUTTER:
EVERYONE!!! Every household should have a jar of Shea butter!! SHEA BUTTER IS THE SKIN’S BEST FRIEND!!!!