As you may know, most of our treatments are performed using organic, unrefined shea butter. I would even say that it could be considered our main tool! You're probably wondering why? We wondered the same thing ourselves. So we did extensive research to better understand this little magic nut!
Initially, we used shea butter simply because of its perfect texture for deep tissue massage. Indeed, shea butter provides a smooth, slippery surface that maintains a certain grip, allowing us to better work the deep muscles. However, after researching the topic, we concluded that it is undoubtedly the most suitable medium for administering a massage. By the end of this article, you'll know everything there is to know about it!
What is shea butter?
The shea tree is native to West Africa; in local dialect, its name means "butter tree." It produces fruit with an edible nut. Shea butter is obtained by churning the kernel of this fruit.
Why shea butter?
In its raw, natural, and unrefined state, shea butter is rich in vitamins A, C, D, E, and F, as well as essential fatty acids (omega-3, 6, and 9). It also contains significant amounts of latex, carotene, and essential minerals (calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, etc.). In short, it contains everything essential and good for our skin and body!
It is because of its naturally rich composition that women in West Africa have long produced and used it as a body moisturizer, as protection against mosquitoes and the sun, and also as a cooking ingredient.
Indeed, according to studies, shea butter:
It hydrates, softens, nourishes, soothes, and is antimicrobial and antioxidant. It is therefore very effective for the care of the entire body (face, lips, hands, body, feet, even hair), for skin problems (crocodile skin, calluses, razor burn, acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin allergies, etc.). Its uses also include the prevention or Treatment of stretch marks and wrinkles.
Soothes insect bites, minor burns, and sunburn. It offers slight sun protection, but not enough to be a complete protection on its own. However, it prepares the skin very well for sun exposure thanks to its moisturizing properties and the presence of carotene and latex.
– Promotes cutaneous microcirculation, cell stimulation and regeneration. It is therefore very beneficial for tissue healing, minor burns and muscle soreness (even before sports to prepare muscles).
– It is anti-inflammatory and appears to be a pain reliever. It helps relieve certain symptoms of tendinopathy, bursitis, capsulitis, muscle pain…but also inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis.
And finally, unless you're allergic to latex, there are no contraindications as such! It's suitable for children, pregnant women, the elderly…anyone with skin!
It is for all its exceptional qualities that shea butter is used in your skincare!
To retain its properties, shea butter should ideally be organic, but above all, 100% natural (free of parabens, silicones, GMOs, etc.), unrefined (meaning it hasn't been extracted using solvents and/or bleached or contain any chemicals). It should have an ivory-beige color and a characteristic scent; beware of white shea butter with a fragrance similar to a skincare cream!
Bibliography:
*Anti-inflammatory effects of shea butter through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines via the Nf-κB pathway in LPS-activated J774 macrophage cells. Verma N, et al. J Complement Integr Med. 2012.
*Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of triterpene cinnamates and acetates from shea fat. Akihisa T, et al. J Oleo Sci. 2010
*A new ursane triterpenoic acid and other potential anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic constituents from EtOAc extracts of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark. Eyong KO, et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015.
*Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Review article Lin TK, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2017
*Natural lipid nanoparticles containing nimesulide: synthesis, characterization and in vivo antiedematogenic and antinociceptive activities. Raffin RP, et al. J Biomed Nanotechnology. 2012.
*Nutritional composition of shea products and chemical properties of shea butter: a review. Review article Honfo FG, et al. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014.
*Shea Nut Oil Triterpene Concentrate Attenuates Knee Osteoarthritis Development in Rats: Evidence from Knee Joint Histology. Kao JH, et al. PLoS One. 2016
*Triterpene glycosides and other polar constituents of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) kernels and their bioactivities. Zhang J, et al. Phytochemistry. 2014.
* Validating efficacy of shea nut oil extract in knee osteoarthritis patients. Chen SP, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013
