28 Parimat Sheavõi Kasu Nahale, Juustele Ja Tervisele

Fatty Acids: Shea butter contains five principal fatty acids namely palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidic acids, with a higher proportion of stearic and oleic acids that together accounts for 85-90% of fatty acids. Stearic acid provides a solid consistency, whereas oleic acid influences the hardness or softness of the shea butter

Phenolics: Phenolic compounds are known for their antioxidant properties. Shea butter contains 10 phenolic compounds, 8 of which are catechins. Traditionally extracted shea butter has higher phenolic levels than that extracted with hexane. In fact, the catechin content of shea butter is higher than the total phenolic content of ripe olives. The overall concentration and relative percentage of the shea kernels vary from region to region, depending on the level of environmental stress endured by the trees (3)

Vitamin E: Tocopherol is otherwise known as vitamin E. Different versions of this are found in shea butter, but their concentrations fluctuate depending on climate and some other factors like the butter extraction method (4)

Vitamin A And Vitamin F: These are also found in shea butter naturally. They can aid in the treatment of skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and even slow down premature aging (5)

Shea butter is considered as a superfood for the skin as it is rich in unsaturated fats, with a large proportion of non-saponifiable components, essential fatty acids, vitamins E and D, phytosterols, provitamin A, and allantoin. It has been used since time immemorial for skin care, baby care, and consumption. Given below are its various shea butter benefits for the skin.

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Benefits Of Shea Butter For The Skin

Incorporating shea butter into your regular skin care routine will work wonders. Check out here.

1. Moisturizes Dry Skin

Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer for the face and the body. Its fat content is responsible for its emollient and humectant properties (6). It locks in the moisture in the skin and keeps it hydrated for long. Dehydrated and dry skin becomes rough and scaly. Certain areas of the body can even develop skin cracks due to dryness. Shea butter can nourish the skin with its fat content. It can also help to soften the skin on your hands and feet and make it supple. It penetrates the skin easily, without clogging the pores, and is effective for dry skin.

Use shea butter to heal cracked heels, dry cuticles, and rough patches on your skin. You can also use it to simply moisturize your skin during the colder months.

[ Read: Home Remedies For Dry Skin]

2. Treats Acne And Blemishes

Image: iStock

Shea butter is known for its healing properties, which can be attributed to the presence of several fatty acids and plant sterols such as oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linolenic acids. These oil-soluble components do not undergo saponification or convert into soap on coming in contact with alkalis. Shea butter is more non-saponifiable than other nut oils and fats, thus imparting it great healing potential. Raw, unrefined shea butter is effective in curing skin rashes, skin peeling after tanning, scars, stretch marks, frost bites, burns, athletes foot, insect bites and stings, and acne (7).

3. Reduces Skin Inflammation

Shea butter has several derivatives of cinnamic acid that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it beneficial for the improvement of skin conditions that result from an increase in inflammatory compounds (8). Generalized inflammations from conditions like dermatitis and rosacea can be alleviated by using shea butter on the affected area. Sunburns, rashes, cuts, and scrapes that can result in swelling can also be treated using this butter.

4. Anti-Aging And Anti-Free Radical Agent

Image: iStock

Shea butter is considered as one of the best anti-aging agents for the skin. It stimulates the production of collagen, the youthful scaffolding protein in the skin. The vitamins A and E found in this butter keep the skin supple, nourished, and radiant. If used regularly, it reduces wrinkles and also prevents premature wrinkles and facial lines. Its anti-aging properties can also be attributed to its ability to increase circulation to the skin and promote cell renewal.

These vitamins, along with catechins, also exert an antioxidant effect against free radicals that damage the skin. These free radicals are often found in our environment in pollutants and irritants. The sun’s rays can also increase the free radicals in our skin, which can easily damage the skin cells. The cinnamic acid esters in the shea fat prevent damage from these compounds by giving your skin an antioxidant boost (9, 10).

5. Provides Relief To Itchy And Peeling Skin

For itching skin, both the moisturizing and the anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter prove to be beneficial. Dryness can cause your skin to start peeling and/or become flaky. It can cause the skin to itch. The moisturizing fatty acids of shea butter can provide relief by supplying the skin with the oils it needs. If the itching is due to a skin condition like psoriasis, the anti-inflammatory activity of shea butter works really well to alleviate it (11, 12).

6. Restores The Elasticity Of The Skin

The non-saponifiable matter and vitamin F in this butter are vital ingredients for maintaining the skin’s elasticity. Shea butter also improves the production of collagen in the skin. Thus, its application restores the natural elasticity of the skin besides hydrating, softening, and beautifying it (13). Restored elasticity also ensures reduced wrinkles and blemishes.

7. Reduce Razor Irritation And Bumps

Shaving hair using razors can often leave your skin irritated and itchy. At times, it might even develop bumps post shaving as a result of the irritation. Shea butter can help reduce this as it moisturizes and soothes the irritated skin. You can also apply the butter a day prior to shaving to smoothen the skin and hair. This will make the shaving process easier and faster and doesn’t leave any irritated spots behind (14, 15).

8. Reduces Stretch Marks

Image: iStock

Shea butter is often used as a base in ointments or creams prepared commercially for stretch mark treatment. This is because it can dramatically help prevent and reduce stretch marks formed during pregnancy due to weight gain and/or weight loss. These marks are formed when the skin stretches beyond its elastic capacity. The application of shea butter will restore the natural elasticity of the skin and also improve collagen production. It is a natural emollient. Daily massage of the affected area with this skin healing butter can lighten stretch marks (16).

[ Read: Home Remedies For Removing Pregnancy Stretch Marks]

9. Helps Soothe Skin And Baby Diaper Rash

Unrefined shea butter is an excellent natural moisturizer that is devoid of chemicals. Thus, it is ideal for baby care as besides being gentle and soft on the skin, it is specially adapted for the delicate and sensitive skin of babies. It can be applied after a bath and also used for healing eczema or diaper rash on the skin of babies and toddlers (17).

10. Excellent Lip Care

Shea butter is easily absorbable and provides extra moisture and nutrients that the lips need during the cold season and dry weather conditions. Thus, it acts as a perfect lip balm and is also effective for treating dry and chapped lips. When applied, it forms a barrier on the lips and retains moisture in the skin (18, 19).

After this extensive list of how shea butter can benefit our skin, let us now discuss its benefits for the hair. It is considered as a natural conditioner for the hair, thanks to its moisturizing and healing properties.

Benefits Of Shea Butter For Hair

Let’s also delve deeper into some of the benefits of this miracle butter for your hair care. Some of the numerous shea butter benefits for hair are given below.

11. Repairs Damaged Hair

Image: iStock

A number of chemical treatments like straighteners, perms, and curlers are responsible for stripping off the natural moisture from the hair. Shea butter can help restore this lost moisture. It also protects the hair from harsh weather conditions and the harmful free radicals in the air and water. Moreover, shea butter has a low SPF that is sufficient to protect the hair from sun damage caused due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It repairs the damage that has already been caused by the harsh weather and the sun. This is largely due to the fact that once absorbed, shea butter coats the hair shaft so that it is protected from a heat tool or any other damaging material being passed along the hair. This is particularly beneficial for processed or colored hair. It also protects the hair against salt and chlorine when applied before swimming (20).

Here is a simple way to include shea butter in your hair care regimen:

• Take a tablespoon of raw or unrefined shea butter and melt it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
• Once the butter cools down slightly, add a few drops of lavender essential oil. This step is not compulsory.
• Make small sections of your hair and apply the liquefied butter to the scalp and entire hair length.
• Leave it on for half an hour and then rinse your hair with a mild shampoo.

12. Prevents Hair Loss

The fatty acids of shea butter condition the scalp and hair. It also provides many essential nutrients that improve both scalp and hair health. These, in turn, will make your hair follicles stronger and reduce hair fall and hair loss. Another important property of shea butter that can prevent hair loss is its anti-inflammatory properties. Scalp conditions can be treated by these compounds, thus reducing hair loss. Your hair will grow thicker and have a natural shine when you use shea butter (21).

13. Soothes Dry And Itchy Scalp

Shea butter is effective in soothing a dry, itchy scalp or dandruff. It possesses anti-inflammatory qualities and rich fat that get absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy residue behind or clogging the pores (22). Hence, it is extremely effective in providing relief from a dry scalp, scalp psoriasis, and other scalp conditions.

[Read: Home Remedies For Itchy Scalp]

14. Treats Split Ends And Breakage

Shea butter exerts moisturizing and regenerative effects on the hair and scalp. This strengthens the hair strands and reduces breakage. Also, being rich in vitamins A and E, it soothes dry hair and mends split ends (23).

15. Effective Natural Conditioner

The presence of vitamins A and E makes shea butter an excellent choice to moisturize your hair from the roots to the tips. It can be used as a natural conditioner. It is highly effective in locking in moisture, without leaving the hair greasy or heavy (24).

16. Keep Rebel Curls In Place

Shea butter is great for softening and revitalizing brittle hair. Due to its non-greasy nature, it helps to control and spread the excess oil in the scalp. Massaging the hair with generous amounts of shea butter can give you soft, silky, and luscious tresses. This benefit of shea butter is applicable for dry as well as fragile, curly hair. Shea butter should be applied twice a week for hair growth. This will improve the hair texture and moisturize the hair. It has wide usage in curly hair treatments due to its emollient qualities (25).

So, this was all about the hair and skin benefits of shea butter. However, this rich butter also possesses some more benefits that make it more versatile. Read on to know more about these.

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More Shea Butter Benefits For Health

Except as a superior moisturizer, shea butter is used to treat various health issues too. Check out here, what are they.

17. Soothes Muscle Aches

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Muscular pain often results from an inflammation at the affected site due to exertion or a muscular ailment. Traditionally, shea butter has been extensively used in Africa to relieve muscle aches and soreness. Even though there is no concrete proof for this, feedback from people who have used shea butter to massage the affected site showed that they noticed a reduction in the swelling as well as the pain (26).

18. Rheumatism

Rheumatism is often characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. The pain and swelling can also be present just in the muscles or the fibrous tissue. It is used as an ointment on the parts of the body affected by rheumatism to relieve the swelling and pain. Its anti-inflammatory properties are of key importance here as rheumatism is basically an inflammatory disease (27).

19. Arthritis

A chronic joint disorder that is often associated with increasing age, obesity, and trauma, arthritis can be very painful for people who suffer from it. The pain is almost constant and disrupts basic movement and the quality of life in an arthritis patient. The unsaponifiable material of shea butter is primarily composed of triterpenes. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its usage by arthritis patients has shown excellent results in alleviating the swelling and pain. The exact mechanism of action is still unknown. However, the triterpenes are considered the main contributing factor for these results (28, 29).

20. Nasal Inflammation And Nasal Congestion

The next time you experience nasal congestion, all you need to do is apply some shea butter in your nostrils using your finger. This might sound weird, but it works. Nasal congestion is often a result of inflammation of the inner linings of the nasal passages. The anti-inflammatory compounds of shea butter can reduce this inflammation and clear your nostrils. In a study conducted to test the efficacy of shea butter, the participants experienced nasal congestion clearance in just 90 seconds (30).

21. Lowers Cholesterol

As we mentioned earlier, shea butter is edible and is used by many people in Africa for food preparation. An unknown advantage of adding shea butter to your diet is its ability to lower cholesterol in the blood. This butter is rich in stearic acid, a type of saturated fatty acid that was shown to reduce lipoprotein and plasma cholesterol levels in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (31).

[Read: Home Remedies To Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels]

22. Helps Treat Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a symptom of many ailments and can also occur just by itself. It can be treated using a wide range of medicines and herbal concoctions. There is increased demand these days for the addition of shea butter to dietary-aid products that are being formulated for diarrhea treatment. This is based on the traditional usage of shea butter for its anti-diarrheal properties (32).

A few other uses of shea butter are discussed in the next section.

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Shea Butter Uses

Shea Butter has innumerable uses! Find out how this butter is used in a variety of ways.

23. Wound Healing

Shea butter has skin moisturizing properties, and these are accompanied by healing properties because of the wide variety of phytonutrients it contains. Wounds, cuts, and abrasions are healed quickly with regular application of shea butter. It gets easily absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, where it supplies all the essential fats and nutrients while enhancing the cell repair function by increasing microcirculation (33).

24. Insect Bites

Image: iStock

Due to its high content of vitamin A, it promotes healing and disinfection and soothes skin allergies like poison ivy and insect bites (34). The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties accelerate the healing process (35). Insect bites are often prone to developing an infection, and this can be prevented by using shea butter on it.

25. Dermatitis, Psoriasis, And Eczema

Conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema cause the skin to become dry, flaky, patchy, scaly, and/or itchy. And to treat them, we need an ingredient that works as a deep moisturizer and alleviates the inflammation. Shea butter suits this profile perfectly. It is considered as an excellent moisturizer for eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis because of its efficacious emollient and humectant properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of this thick butter can be employed for lessening the swelling and itching (36, 37, 38). Doctors often recommend shea butter to people suffering from these skin ailments as it is safe and well tolerated.

26. UV Protection

Shea butter acts as a natural sunscreen by providing protection against the ultraviolet radiations of the sun, though the level of protection offered may be variable. Cinnamic acid, found in shea butter, is a compound that provides UV protection, and the SPF ranges from 6-10 depending on the butter’s quality. It is not recommended to use shea butter alone as a sunscreen as its SPF is considered to be low to provide ample protection from the harmful rays. Shea butter is best used after sun exposure to soothe the skin and also reverse the oxidative damage caused by the sun (39).

27. An Alternative To Coconut Oil, Butter, Or Olive Oil In Cooking

Healthy fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds – all of these make shea butter a viable and better option than regular butter or even coconut oil and olive oil. It might take a day or two to get used to its taste, but its benefits are plenty and worth the adjustment. Use it for stir-frying or simply add a small dollop to your morning smoothie to reap its benefits. You could even substitute it for butter or lard for your toasts, sandwiches, and pancakes. As always, opt for the unrefined version, even for cooking/eating purposes.

So many benefits! But you might still be a little confused about how to find the best shea butter. Well, your doubts will be cleared in the next section. We’ll also talk about the best way to store it.

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Selection And Storage Tips

Shea Butter Buying Tips

Keep these pointers in mind when buying shea butter:

• Look for the raw or unrefined version of shea butter.
• Ensure that the butter has come from a reliable source or company that believes in ethics, fair trade, and is environment-friendly.
• Check the shea butter’s smell. It should be a little nutty or earthy. Any plastic-like or chemical scent indicates that it is not an unrefined version.
• If possible, try on a small amount of shea butter on your arm. It should be soothing and moisturizing.
• As far as the color is concerned, it ranges quite a bit when it comes to the unrefined version. Make sure the butter you are planning to purchase is not ivory-colored as a lighter color indicates that it has gone through the refinement process of bleaching.

How To Store Shea Butter

The best way to store 100% shea butter is to store it in a cool environment in an airtight container. Keep it away from the sun. Quite often, vitamin E is added to shea butter to increase its shelf life. On an average, 100% shea butter has a shelf life of two years. If you sense an acidic/rancid smell, it might be time to throw it away.

Here are some simple recipes of shea butter for skin care that you can concoct at home with shea butter.

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Shea Butter Recipes

1. Body Butter Lotion

Image: iStock

You Will Need

• 1 cup raw shea butter
• 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup almond oil

Recipe

1. Melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler.
2. Mix well and let it cool down for a couple of minutes.
3. Add almond oil and mix well.
4. Place this in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. The oils should start to solidify a little.
5. Once the natural solidification process has started, whip the oil blend using a hand mixer or a kitchen aid mixer until you get a thick, creamy consistency.
6. Transfer this to an airtight container and keep it aside. Allow it to set.
7. Use as and when required to moisturize the body.

You can also add essential oils of your choice in the almond oil step.

2. Lavender Mint Lip Balm

Image: iStock

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons raw shea butter
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
• 6-7 drops lavender oil
• 6-7 drops peppermint oil

Recipe

1. Melt the shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil in a double boiler.
2. Let them cool down slightly and then add the essential oils.
3. Mix thoroughly and pour the concoction into small jars or lip balm tins.
4. Leave aside until the contents set.
5. Use once or twice a day as a regular lip balm.

You know a lot about shea butter now. Let us help you a little further by suggesting some good brands in the market and where you can find them.

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Best Brands For Shea Butter

1. Better Shea Butter

Their unrefined shea butter is fairly popular. It is 100% pure and handmade. This is one of the brands with the best customer reviews.

2. Radha Beauty

This brand is cruelty-free and offers an unrefined version of shea butter at a reasonable price.

3. Molivera Organics

They sell Raw African Shea Butter that comes in a UV protected tub. This is an excellent advantage as the light is kept out and cannot hinder the beneficial compounds present in the butter.

4. Mary Taylor Naturals

This company imports its shea butter from Ghana, Africa. It is a 100% natural and organic brand that does not include any additives, scents, or preservatives in its shea butter.

5. Sky Organics

The butter comes in a convenient tub and does not leave a sticky residue, which is seen with some other brands.

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Where To Buy Shea Butter?

With the progress in e-commerce websites, most brands for raw and organic shea butter are available for purchase online. Some organic stores and large departmental stores may also stock them in their skin care and hair care sections.

While it is important to know how a particular ingredient can benefit you, it is equally important to know its side effects. For shea butter, these are listed below.

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Side Effects Of Shea Butter

These side effects can result from topical application or ingestion of shea butter:

• Itchy rashes
• Hives
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain

If you experience any of the above symptoms, stop using shea butter immediately and consult a doctor. An allergy to shea butter is not so common, but it is better to be safe than sorry. If you have never used shea butter before, it is best to do a small patch test on a small area on the upper forearm.

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Here are answers to a few questions received from our readers about shea butter.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Why is shea butter called ‘women’s gold’?

In Africa, many women earn their livelihood by working in the shea butter industry, giving it the name ‘women’s gold’.

Is shea butter edible?

Yes, it is safe to eat.

What is shea butter’s shelf life?

The average shelf life of shea butter is two years, but it can fluctuate depending on the brand.

Is shea butter natural?

Yes, shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which grows naturally in West Africa.

What kind of shea butter is best?

Always look for raw/unrefined and organic, the unrefined, raw version is considered the best for usage. This is because its nutritional qualities are still intact. Opt for a grade A version if possible.

What does shea butter smell like?

Unrefined shea butter has an earthy or nutty smell. It can have a little smokey smell as well.

Are all shea butters the same?

No, they are not! Shea butter is available in different varieties, depending on the processing undergone. The unrefined and refined versions are the most popular.

Is shea butter vegan-friendly?

Kui ostate 100% sheavõid, on see vegan-sõbralik, kuna see on puhas taimne toode. Sheavõid sisaldavad tooted ei pruugi olla täiendavate koostisosade tõttu vegan-sõbralikud.

Kas sheavõi on pähkliallergiaga inimestele ohutu?

Ehkki sheavõi pärineb pähklist, pole siiani talle pähkliallergiat teatatud.

Loodetavasti leidsite sheavõi eeliseid käsitleva artikli kasulikuks. Proovige sheavõid ja andke meile teada, kuidas see teid aitas.

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