Shea
From Freepedia
| Shea | ||||||||||||||
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| Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn. |
Shea is a West African tree from the seed of which is extracted shea butter, which is used in cosmetics. The common names are from shétoulou, "tree butter", in the Senegalese language and ghariti in the Malian language. The tree is perhaps better known as Butyrospermum parkii (the genus name meaning "butter seed"; the epithet honouring Mungo Park, who learned of the tree while exploring Senegal). However, Vitellaria paradoxa is the earlier name and has priority: it should therefore be used (a proposal to conserve failed narrowly).
Traditionally in West Africa shea butter or vegetable butter are extracted from its fruit (called nuts) by crushing and boiling. This substance is edible. It is consumed in traditional cuisine and used in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter.
Shea butter is known especially for its cosmetic properties as a moisturizer and emollient of skin. Because of these properties, it is used in numerous cosmetics today.
