Shea butter: Nature's multi-tasking moisturizer.

Shea butter is a natural fat derivative of the Karite tree, which grows in the savannah belt of West Africa. Used largely in cosmetic and hair care products here in the states, shea butter is also used for cooking in certain parts of its native continent. In addition to its moisturizing and culinary properties, shea butter is also good for fading scars and dark spots, treatment of burns and eczema, improving muscle stiffness, and as a sunscreen.

Here are the multi-tiered benefits of Shea Butter according to the Treasured Locks Website:

For hair: Shea Butter provides moisture to dry or damaged hair from the roots to the very tips, repairing and protecting against weather damage, dryness and brittleness. It also absorbs quickly and completely into the scalp to rehydrate without clogging pores. It is particularly beneficial for processed and heat-treated hair. It is an excellent treatment for dry scalp. It restores luster to damaged hair.

For skin: Shea Butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F. Vitamins A and E help maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. They are particularly helpful for sun damaged skin. They help prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines. Vitamin F acts as a skin protector and rejuvenator. It soothes rough, dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair. Also, Shea Butter easily penetrates the skin allowing the skin to breathe and not clogging pores. Shea Butter has a high level of cinnamic acid, a natural sun screen. So, it provides some degree of protection from the sun. Shea Butter is also anti-inflammatory making it useful in treating rheumatism.

On its own or as a chief ingredient to your homemade and commercial products, shea butter offers amazing results for dry skin and healthy hair. While there are many retailers who offer shea butter, there a few things one must consider to purchase it for yourself:

1. Shea butter should only be yellow or a creamy colour, ranging from white to gray or beige. It should never be green.

2. When considering the type of shea butter to purchase or use, unrefined is best, as if is pure and natural. Unrefined would be next on the scale because although it has been bleached, it still retains most of its natural components.

3. The longer it has been shelved the less healing properties remain present, so try to avoid buying “old” shea butter. If you purchase unrefined shea butter and either has no odor to it or is rancid smelling, more than likely, it is old and should not be used.

4. When buying commercial products that claim to contain shea butter, reading the ingredients list carefully. There are many manufacturers looking to make a quick sell based on the shea butter buzz, yet use very little of the compound in their products. Make sure shea butter is one of the first ingredients listed to ensure you’re getting the most shea butter possible for your benefit.

Need to know more? A great resource for information on shea butter can be found at the American Shea Butter Institute, including reputable retailers by grade, as well as The Organic Shea Butter Website, which lists the various uses and benefits of using the substance.

Prices for shea butter range according to quantity and can be bought in bulk for both personal and commercial use.

Here in Columbus you can purchase shea butter at The Raisin Rack in Westerville on Shrock Rd., or the Whole Foods Market located on West Dublin-Granville.