Until we had encountered this business we had never heard of shea butter. Upon buying the Original Christmas Gift we began researching the product and its sources. Our hearts have long been set on Christmas and meaningful traditions, but shea butter? There are a lot of health benefits associated with shea butter as a skin product; but who hasnbt heard a lot of hyped benefits for b naturalb health products this generation? One standard hurdle to overcome. Second came when we first received the existing stock from the prior owner. We learned something about shelf life and shea products. Now it was a challenge!! After diligent searching we found a couple who had done the Sherlock Holmes type digging we wished to see done. They had traveled to the source, met up with a Dr. on the similar pursuit and actually worked with African crafters on how to process the nuts. This couple is set on one village in Africa they feel has it right. They also described the differences. Not paying attention to the product differences here, but the people differences they saw. Differences in the peoplebs skin between shea villages and non-shea villages. When it comes to product tests, for us this is believable b if you can walk through rural off the grid villages and tell shea villagers from non-shea villagers, you have a product. That and there was this little story about shea butter being the best substitute for cocoa butter in chocolateb&to help overcome the shortage of cocoa butter
From the European Parliament notes(15 October 1997), one of the repeated arguments to allowing more use of non-cocoa fats is that shea butter use is not guaranteed; quote b the use of cheaper cocoa-butter substitutes than shea butterb is under the b serious drawbacksb of allowing other vegetable fats. . Shea butter actually improves the qualities of chocolate. In fact almost all shea nuts used go to the chocolate industry!
Other important points: Shea Butter has been used by humans to protect their skin for thousands of years. Compare that to things tested on little furry creatures for a few years. b Refinedb shea butter is not naturally processed. Plain and simple it removes many of the good qualities of the shea butter. Enough to make the same claims of health benefits as b wild craftedb very hollow in our minds. We have scratched any thoughts of selling hexane refined products for your skin.
Wild crafted shea butter is a good source for Carotene, alantoin, Omega-6 linoleic and Omega-9 oleic Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), vitamins A & E, and UV inhibitors.
As shea nuts are nuts, we recommend folks with nut allergies skip this gift. We do not know of a requirement to do so; but we have other allergies in the family and would hate to have anybody find out the hard way.
Ingredients:
Wild Crafted Shea Butter, Frankincense Essential Oil, Myrrh Essential Oil b Thatbs it folks
Processing:
Traditionally extracted using standardized methods to retain long term viability, Clean smooth natural color, Retains those healing feelings (We also have eczema in the family), and a Natural odor that fades quickly - not that youbll notice with the Frankincense and Myrrh : )
Our scenting process is very low temperature in thin layers to minimize heating time. We then store product in a chilled storage unit until shipping.
From the Shea Institute (including the disclaimer).
1. Dry skin
2. Skin rash
3. Skin peeling, after tanning
4. Blemishes and wrinkles
5. Itching skin
6. Sunburn
7. Shaving cream for a smooth silky shave.
8. Small skin wounds
9. Skin cracks
10. Tough or rough skin (on feet)
11. Cold weather
12. Frost bites
13. Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy
14. Insect bites
15. Healthy skin
16. Muscle fatigue, aches and tension
17. For before and after strenuous exercise
18. Skin allergies such as poison ivy or poison oak
19. Eczema
20. Dermatitis
21. Skin damage from heat (hot grease while cooking, radiation treatment for certain medical problems, etc.)
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here or elsewhere on this site is not intended to constitute professional medical advice for treatment. We encourage you to consult your personal physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
