Weekly Style

This week shine the spot light on: 

SHEA BUTTER!

Shea Butter

We know for many naturals that once you’ve joined the journey shea butter becomes one of your go to products. Used on its one or infused with a variety of essential oils; shea butter has quickly become star in the health and beauty world.

So where does shea butter come from?

Shea Butter is extracted from the nut of the Shea-Karite tree which is only found on the continent of Africa.  The Shea-Karite tree only begins to produce nuts after about fifteen years and it can take up to 30 years to get the first quality crop from a particular tree.  WOW! 

The unique fatty acid that gives Shea Butter its unparalleled healing properties and makes it much more sought after than other butters such as cocoa butter.  Is produced by first harvesting the nuts, shelling them, griling them and then pounding them. The karite nuts are boiled in a vat of water for hours until the Shea Butter is produced.  The butter would then be scooped up in gourds and allowed to return to a soft solid state.  Shea Butter is solid at room temperature.  But one of the things that makes it so great is that it liquifies right around body temperature.  A quick rub in the palm of your hands and it's a liquid.  Shea Butter extracted this way is called unrefined Shea Butter or raw Shea Butter.  Since Shea Butter is an all natural product each batch will be slightly different. 

So lets look at the benefits

• Cures scalp infections, as well as heals and repairs damaged, dull and over processed hair
• Conditions and softens the hair, leaving it silky and smooth.
• It protects the hair from the harsh elements of winter cold and scorching summer sun.
• It boosts hair growth by healing the hair and scalp.
• It can be used to protect the hair from the damaging effects of chlorine when swimming in pools.  
• It restores elasticity and moisture to the hair.
• Cuts down on frizz.
• It is mild and gentle enough to use on babies. 
• Can be used as a sealant to seal in moisture into your hair after moisturising with a water-based spritz or leave-in conditioner.
• Use in your hair creations like twists, twist-outs and braids.  It gives wonderful control, hold, and leaves your hair super smooth.
• Helps with skin irritations; such as eczema and psoriasis 
• Softens and soothes skin (whether it be; dry, cracked or wrinkled or after shaving)

Knowing your butters

Shea butter comes in different grades as follows:

• Raw or unrefined. This Shea Butter will be extracted using only water.  The color will vary based on the nuts used.  The color will range from a cream color  or slightly off-white to an actual yellow or yellowish gray.  This is the original form of Shea Butter.  It will also usually have a distinct nutty aroma.

• Refined- is more highly processed. It may be filtered and deodorized.  Many of its natural components are still in there.  But, some of the natural coloring and aroma will have been removed. 

• Highly refined or processed- In this case something other than water is used to increase the amount of butter that can be taken from a bath.  A solvent like hexane will be used.  The color of this product will be pure white. 

So now you know just a little bit more about shea butter, we can't wait to hear how you use it or what you love the most about it! 

:-D