Shea Tree

Native to West Africa, shea tree provides the chief edible vegetable fat for a large part of rural populations, especially to those who live in remote locations where little else grows. Shea tree has been instrumental in the historical development of many African cultures. Even today, it is the main source of income for millions of people. Shea butter is the fat extracted from the nut of shea tree, and it has been known in Africa for centuries. In recent years, it's become popular worldwide owing to its immense nutritional and curative benefits.

Health Benefits of Shea Butter Tree

The benefits of shea butter, the main product of the shea tree, have been widely studied by Western medicine.

The healing properties of shea butter have been used in West African medicine for centuries, serving multiple purposes, including:

• Protecting hair and skin. Shea butter has been shown to possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and emollient properties, which have been traditionally used to treat skin issues, such as small wounds, dermatitis, and dryness. It also helps protect against the harmful effects of sun exposure and revitalizes damaged hair.

• Relieving pain. Some compounds in shea butter have analgesic actions and can help reduce the pain caused by osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

The analgesic properties of shea butter have been successfully used in desensitizing lubricants for rectal examinations, showing effects similar to lidocaine.¹

In many African cultures, shea butter is used in the same way butter or lard is used in the West, and it is a major source of nutritional energy. The dietary intake of shea butter can also help reduce cholesterol levels, and in traditional medicine, it is used to decongest airways.

How It Works

The main components in shea butter are triglycerides, a type of fat. The two predominant fatty acids that can be attributed to its health benefits are oleic and stearic fats, which make the butter an excellent source of dietary energy; these fatty acids are also responsible for shea butter's anti-inflammatory and restorative properties for the skin.²

Shea butter has been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.³ Preliminary studies suggest that the triterpenes in the shea nut oil may be effective for treating knee osteoarthritis.⁴

Additionally, the ethanolic extracts of the bark, seeds, and leaves of shea tree (saponins, tannins, and alkaloids) have demonstrated antimicrobial activities, making this plant a potent medicine against bacterial infections, particularly diarrheal diseases.⁵

Although shea butter has a fatty acid composition similar to cocoa butter, it does have a much higher level of unsaponifiable matter (compounds that don't form soaps when blended with alkaline solutions), which is composed of various phenols and gives shea butter its antioxidant effect. Shea butter is also rich in terpenic alcohols, which are responsible for its diuretic properties.

Other great herbs for skin health are jojoba, aloe, oat, and coconut; whereas turmeric, gotu kola, devil's claw, and cloves can provide pain relief.

Shea Tree Side Effects

There are no reported side effects from topical application of shea butter. It is considered very safe. Recent research indicates that shea nut butter does not contain any detectable protein residues from peanut or allergenic tree nuts (Brazil nut, walnut, almond, pecan, or hazelnut).

Natural Forms

• Butter. It is extracted from fresh shea nuts, and it is white, odorless, and has little flavor. The butter is rich in fatty acids and contains vitamins A, E, D and F as well as minerals, such as iron and copper. Due to its demulcent, softening properties, raw shea butter is added to body creams, lotions, lipsticks, and other cosmetic products.

• Decoction. In West Africa, shea leaves are boiled, and the concentrated liquid is consumed for relieving stomach discomfort, headaches, diarrhea, and dysentery. The bark decoction is used to facilitate childbirth and encourage lactation after delivery.

• Ground. In this way, the fresh roots can be taken orally to cure jaundice. They can also be boiled and crushed to treat chronic sores.

• Powder. Obtained from dried and pulverized shea kernels, shea powder is an excellent exfoliating agent for the skin. It promotes the growth of new skin cells and delays the appearance of visible signs of aging.

In its native land, raw, unrefined shea butter is used for cooking, similar to how lard is used in the West.

• Oil. Shea oil has the same origin as shea butter; however, it is refined and commercialized in liquid form. Shea oil has a light yellow color, and it mainly contains unsaponifiable matter, so it doesn't solidify like shea butter. It can be applied as a treatment for damaged hair and dry skin.

• Capsules. Shea soft gel capsules are often mixed with collagen and other nutrients, so they can be applied on hair and skin in order to obtain shea's regenerating and demulcent benefits.

Natural Forms

Natural she tree products, including raw shea butter and shea powder, can be purchased through online stores and local health shops.

Herbal Remedies & Supplements

Processed shea butter products, such as shea oil and shea capsules, can be easily purchased online; however, some local beauty shops may have them, too.

It is important to remember that there are different grades of refinement for shea butter that can influence its quality and beneficial effects. The more solvents are used in the refining process, the fewer natural health-promoting components are left in the product.

Growing a shea tree in a home garden is not possible, as it does not adapt well to climates different from its native West Africa.

Growing Guidelines

• The shea tree is a light-demanding species of open sites and parkland savannah; forming extensive pure stands in some areas but often also associated with other trees.

• This extremely resistant species can survive at an altitude of up to 3,937 feet (1,200 m), and endure temperatures between 75 - 90°F (24 - 32°C) with very little water requirements.

• It prefers dry and sandy clay soils, with a good humus cover, but also tolerates stony sites and lateritic subsoil although reacting with lower yields.

• The shea tree seeds germinate easily when fresh and grow a long taproot. For this reason, they do not respond well to transplantation.

• The hermaphroditic flowers of the shea tree are usually cross-pollinated, but they can also be self-pollinated. Insects, especially bees, are important for pollination.

• Flowering lasts 30 - 75 days, and the fruit takes four to six months to develop, reaching maturity early in the rainy season.

• A tree raised from seed matures slowly and can take up to 50 years before full productivity is reached.

Biology of Shea Tree

Other Uses

• Food industry. Shea nut is processed into a wide range of food products, including chocolate (as a substitute for cocoa butter).

• Cosmetics. Shea nut oil is also commonly used in the cosmetic industry as a popular ingredient in lipsticks, soaps, shampoo, creams, and lotions.

• Waterproof material. Shea butter is also used as a waterproof substance for the walls of houses since occasional downpours can wash the mud away.

• Fodder. The fresh fruit of shea tree is eaten, and the leaves are used to feed livestock and other farm animals.