Shea Butter 101

Hi everyone! Last time I wrote about the five essential oils that everyone should have in their cupboard, but I never touched on what a base oil is and why it is needed. So real quick, a base oil is any natural oil such as: coconut, apricot, or avocado oil. A base oil is needed to mix and apply essential oils safely to your skin. You should NEVER put a straight essential oil onto your skin. Undiluted essential oils can damage fragile skin cells, causing rash or discoloration.

One of my favorite bases that I add to all of my oil blends is Shea butter. Shea is almost like the perfect boyfriend. It protects your skin, compliments any oil, and offers many health benefits all by itself. I offered five reasons to use Shea butter, but before I do that I will give you all a brief history on Shea.

Karite Tree

Shea butter starts as the meaty center of the Karite nut, found on the Karate tree. This nut has been harvested by the ladies of West Africa, Ethiopia, and Ghana for many years. The meat of the nut goes through a purifying process in which it is refined for use. In other words all bugs, twigs, dirt, and other biologic debris is removed. What you are left with is a lotion that is thick, white or cream, and oh so good for you.

Refined Shea Butter

OK, so I gave you the briefest overview of how Shea butter is processed. If you ever have time, please do research the refining process it is very interesting. So as promised, five reasons to use Shea butter as your go to lotion.

1. It's safe to eat.

Yup, because it's basically nut innards, Shea is 100 percent safe to eat. Which means this is one product that you can have around small kids and not worry if they eat it. Ghanaian women have been using Shea butter in cooking for many years. 100 percent Shea butter is totally safe for use on babies. Even if they stick their hands in their mouth. You're covered.

2. Shea is chock full of good stuff.

It's true! Even before any refinement process, Shea butter naturally contains fatty acids and Vitamins A and E. Actually, the less refined the butter, the better. More vitamins and amino acids are present in the more unrefined butter.

3. Shea Butter is an anti inflammatory.

If you have any sinus issues, scrapes, burns, or general malaise, put some Shea butter on it! I do make a sinus cream with Shea butter that works wonders. Shea is a natural substance with a high anti-inflammatory property. This means that your body will feel better and heal better after several applications of Shea butter.

4. Want great mermaid hair?

Rub some Shea butter into it! Shea will moisturize, and protect dry hair, dry scalp, and damaged hair follicles. Shea butter will seal hair shafts to save the hair from further damage and helps reverse existing damage. Shea contains moisturizing properties, which plumps and hydrates the skin cells and follicle.

5. Showing signs of age?

Slap some Shea butter on it! Because of all the properties listed above, Shea butter is the perfect anti-aging cream. Shea plumps, repairs, and lessens signs of age in the skin cells. Dry skin can be reversed in a matter of few days. Plumper, younger looking skin can be achieved in a few weeks of using Shea butter on skin daily.

So there you have it. Shea butter offers so many health benefits. It is safe for use in any age. The only thing Shea butter can't do is bring you coffee.

Shea Butter