: any of various trees the seeds of which yield a substance similar to butter: such as. a : shea tree. b : a Himalayan tree (Madhuca butyracea) related to the illupi tree.
Where does the Botterboom grow?
The variousTylecodon species are endemic mainly to the dry western areas of South Africa and Namibia.
Where does Shea trees grow?
Africa The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is indigenous to Africa and grows in parkland agroforestry systems across the Sahel. For many in this arid region, particularly women, the shea tree is their main source of livelihood. The tree produces a fruit from which shea butter is extracted.
Can I grow a shea tree?
Cultivation. A shea-tree (Butyrospermum Parkii) needs between 8 and 15 years until the first harvest but some time longer to reach full capacity. A tree can yield of 15 to 20 kg of fresh fruit that will produce 3 to 4 kg of dry kernels. The kernels are made up of 42 to 48% oil.
What does shea tree look like?
The Shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii), is small (usually 40 – 45 ft high) and has a spreading canopy. The tree very much looks like the American Oak. It has a very thick bark which is highly fissured and fire resistant. The tree is found abundantly all across West Africa where it grows naturally in the woods.
Can you eat shea butter?
Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in some African countries. Occasionally, shea butter is mixed with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter, although the taste is noticeably different.
What are the benefits of shea butter?
Here are five of the biggest shea butter benefits for your skin.
- It boosts skin moisture. …
- Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe skin problems. …
- It could heal cuts and scrapes. …
- It helps fight breakouts. …
- Antioxidants may mean anti-aging properties. …
- 7 Reasons oats for dry, itchy skin are nature’s best kept secret.
What plant does shea butter come from?
Shea butter comes from the nuts of karit trees that grow in the Sahel region extending from West to East Africa, from Guinea and Senegal to Uganda and South Sudan.
How do you grow a butter tree?
Sow the seed into seed trays with coarse sand topping. Do not cover. Water once a week in winter and once a month in summer. After two years the plants will be about 3cm and can be planted in pots.
How do you grow a shea tree?
Seed can be planted directly in the field or in the nursery. Seed-beds are made of a mixture of organic compost and sand. After one year, seedlings are transplanted in the nursery or planted directly in the field. Those grown in containers are transplanted after one to two years.
Which country produces the most shea butter?
The largest shea butter-producing countries are Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda (Northern part). Vitellaria paradoxa grows mainly in Western Africa, while Vitellaria Nilotica (a sub-species of Vitellaria paradoxa) is native to East African countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.
How long does it take for a shea tree to grow?
Trees take 10 to 15 years to start bearing fruit, with peak production starting at 20 years, and can produce nuts for up to 200 years. The trees bloom with creamy white blossoms for a month or two, and then shea fruits grow and ripen for four to six months.
How do you make shea butter?
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. …
- Stir in almond oil and essential oils of your choosing.*
- Place oil mixture in freezer or outside to chill.
- Wait until oils start to partially solidify (see photo) then whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
- Place in clean, glass jar and enjoy!
Is shea butter a botanical?
Vitellaria paradoxa (formerly Butyrospermum parkii), commonly known as shea tree, shi tree (/i()/), or vitellaria, is a tree of the family Sapotaceae. It is the only species in the genus Vitellaria, and is indigenous to Africa. … Shea butter fatty acid profiles.
Fatty Acid | 16:0 Palmitic |
---|---|
Mean | 4.0 |
Min | 2.6 |
Max | 8.4 |
How comedogenic is shea butter?
0-2 In-Depth Comedogenic Scale of Oils and Butters
Name | Comedogenic Rating | Composition |
---|---|---|
Shea Butter | 0-2 | High in Oleic and Stearic Acid |
Shea Oil | 0-2 | High in Oleic Acid, Moderate in Stearic Acid |
Soybean Oil | 4-5 | High in Linoleic Acid |
Squalane Oil | 0-1 | High in Omega-2 |
Is shea butter good for black skin?
Shea butter can be applied to dark skin to heal scars, bruises, and burns. … Such blemishes can destroy the evenness of the skin tone in African American skin. The healing properties of Shea butter can help prevent skin issues such as rashes, dermatitis, eczema, and athlete’s foot.
What is the chemical name for shea butter?
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER)
Which is better cocoa or shea butter?
For issues like scars, acne, and stretch marks, shea butter seems to be the better choice, since cocoa butter tends to clog your skin pores. … People with dry skin problems can use unrefined cocoa butter because of the ease of absorption into the skin, and it quickly improves the appearance of the skin.
Can a baby drink shea butter?
In other words, baby skin is sensitive. Fortunately, shea butter is considered safe for all skin types even the most delicate and new. And unlike many store-bought baby lotions and creams, pure shea butter doesn’t contain added chemicals, sulfates, parabens, or preservatives.
Is shea butter healthy?
Shea butter has significant levels of vitamins A and E, which means it promotes strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are important anti-aging agents. They protect your skin cells from free radicals that can lead to premature aging and dull-looking skin.
Can shea butter grow hair?
The anti-inflammatory qualities and fatty acids contained in Shea butter supply essential nutrients that help to treat scalp conditions and improve the overall health of the scalp. This will, in turn, strengthen the hair follicles, reduce hair loss, and make your hair grow thicker.
Is shea butter bad for skin?
Shea butter is a proven moisturizer for your skin. … Shea butter has soothing and anti-aging properties that may make skin appear smoother and reduce aging. However, pure shea butter on your face could lead to breakouts. Even using some products that just contain a smaller percentage of shea butter may lead to acne.
What shea butter do to your skin?
The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter helps moisturize and nourish the skin. Its high fat content makes it an excellent natural emollient and humectant, locking in moisture and keeping skin hydrated. It ensures that the skin’s natural oils are preserved. This means good and smooth skin.
How do you know if shea butter is real?
Original shea butter should be very creamy when it comes in contact with the skin. If the shea butter you buy has a greasy feel and spreads rather than absorb into your skin, then do not buy it. When you rub original shea butter in between your fingers, it should melt evenly without lumps.
Why is it called shea butter?
5,000km long and 400 750km wide. The shea tree which is also known as the karate tree grows in 21 African countries namely Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ethiopia Uganda just to name a few. The name shea actually comes from the word is which is the trees name in Bambara.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.