Shea Butter Unrefined Organic

Shea Butter as a Carrier Oil

Shea Butter contains no additives such as stabilizers or emulsifying agents and is not refined, so it retains the natural Shea Butter odour.

Please note that Shea Butter in its natural state contains different fatty acids with various melting points and because of this, there is no fixed melting point, rather a melting range. The result of this is that Shea Butter can get a crumbly consistency at different temperatures and also depending on the rate of temperature change, as the different fatty acids change state. So even though the consistency changes, the quality of the product remains the same.

In case you are concerned about the texture, you can warm it slowly keeping the Shea Butter container in a water bath at or below 40 C, stirring occasionally. The consistency will become homogeneous again, and it can now be placed in the fridge. The quick cooling will ensure that the different fatty acids don't separate.

Unrefined / Refined Shea Butter

The unrefined or raw Shea Butter is extracted without the use of toxic chemicals or synthetics. It typically has a nutty aroma, and its colour ranges from cream to greyish-yellow. The refining process (Shea Butter) uses high heat and chemicals. The procedure strips away the natural Shea Butter colour and aroma of the pure Shea Butter. So it is typically odourless, with pure white colour. Refined Shea butter does not offer the same organic benefits as unrefined. The main purpose of refined Shea butter is to remove its natural fragrance that may not be so popular.

What Is Shea Butter?

Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and that is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Shea butter has been used in Africa and many other locations for years to improve skin and hair.

Shea Butter Benefits

Shea butter is very thick and solid at room temperature but has a buttery rich consistency that makes it ideal for use as a natural eye cream, lip balm, or body butter. Many studies show that it is especially good at penetrating the skin and contains 60% fat, making it highly emollient.

Thanks to some other special properties, shea butter does more than moisturizing … it delivers key anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing components right into the skin.

• Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils.
• Reduces Inflammation: A 2010 study found that due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter was anti-inflammatory. One compound, in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne.
• Skin Smoothing: Shea butter aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long-term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.

source https://wellnessmama.com/27324/shea-butter-benefits/

About Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are a massively important feature of an aromatherapy treatment.

The correct and thoughtful use of carrier oils (also known as base oils, or vegetable oils) in therapeutic massage adds a huge additional dimension to the benefit of the treatment.

Despite this, carrier oils in aromatherapy are sometimes seen simply as the vehicle for the essential oils to be introduced onto the skin. Hence the use of the word 'carrier oil'.

If you want to convince yourself about the benefit for health and well-being that vegetable oils can provide in their own right, try self-massage with warm Sesame oil every day for a week before a bath or shower, and see what difference you notice. (This is a daily prescription for good health that is recommended by Maharishi AyurVeda, Ayurveda being the world's oldest system of natural health care, and is said to prevent all manner of ailments, to balance the system, and restore health and vitality.)

Why are Carrier Oils Important?

Vegetable oils are largely composed of fatty acids, which are very important to the body, not only because they are an important source of energy, but also because they are a component in the building and maintenance of healthy cells.

Many vegetable oils contain essential fatty acids (EFAs). These cannot be produced by the body yet they are a requirement for life and health. Deficiency of EFAs can lead to a number of ailments, including dry and flaky skin, and raised cholesterol.

Create your own Carrier Oil Blends Different oils can be suitable for different skin types. Try creating your own vegetable oil blends. For example with wheat germ, sunflower, sesame and hazelnut; or add 10% of avocado oil to sweet almond to create a carrier oil for dry skin.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi AyurVeda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine.