21 reasons to use SHEA BUTTER
FROM THE AMERICAN SHEA BUTTER INSTITUTE
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WHAT/ IS THE QUALITY GRADE OF YOUR SHEA BUTTER?
GRADE "A" PREMIUM GIVES THE BEST RESULTS
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SHEA BUTTER SKIN CARE: "Shea Butter is the Skin’s Best Friend".
Vitamin A in Shea Butter is important for improving a number of skins conditions, including blemishes wrinkles, eczema, and dermatitis. Additionally, Premium Shea Butter cream has properties to treat skin allergies, insect bites, sunburns, frostbites, and a number of other conditions of the skin. Shea Butter’s unparalleled moisturizing property is due to several natural moisturizers present in the cream. The moisturizers in Shea Butter are the same moisturizers produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. If you buy the concept that the skin sebaceous glands produce moisturizers for the skin, then it’s no wonder that Shea Butter is such a superior moisturizer. The positive biochemical and physiological effect Shea Butter has on skin injuries makes this cream ideal for wound healing. Many users of Shea Butter have reported that Shea Butter promotes and accelerates wound healing.
The exact benefit of the Vitamin E in Shea Butter is less clear. Vitamin E is a vitamin whose exact function in human being is not entirely clear, although it has been described as effective in a number of conditions or circumstances. Among these include anti-aging, anti-free radical agent, and exerting a positive effect on increasing the micro-circulation. If the vitamin E in Shea Butter is helpful for the skin, such benefits could be accomplished by at least two methods. First, by increasing the micro-circulation to the skin, which results in increased blood supply to and from the skin. Second, vitamin E may serve by as an anti-free radical agent thereby aiding in preventing the deleterious effects of sun and environmental exposure.
Only high quality Premium Shea Butter can offer the health benefits mentioned above. Once Shea Butter is aged or loses its natural integrity, many of these wonderful benefits are also lost. For example Shea Butter contains the ingredient cinnamic acid, a substance very closely related to cinnamon in the kitchen cabinet. The Cinnamic acid in Premium Shea Butter is mainly bound to other ingredients. As Shea Butter loses its natural integrity the amount of bounded cinnamic acid decreases, and the amount of free or unbounded cinnamic acid increases. At The American Shea Butter Institute, we have learned that the reduction in bound cinnamic acid correlates well with the loss of clinical effectiveness for healing. However, Shea butter that has lost its natural integrity, (degraded Shea Butter), retains its moisturizing effectiveness. We now know that poor quality Shea Butter is ineffective in healing many of the skin conditions listed BELOW IN THE SECTION 21 reasons to use SHEA BUTTER. This is a new finding and perhaps the single most important finding in the past 10 years in understanding why all Shea Butters were not equally effective.
Armed with the new finding on the clinical importance of bound cinnamic acid, it is now possible to avoid poor quality Shea Butter. Determination of free and bound cinnamic acid content will provide the needed information on the quality of a given batch of Shea Butter for treating various skin conditions. The most significant factors responsible for variations in Shea Butter quality are the multitude of methods used to prepare Shea Butter (lack of a uniform procedure for preparation), and the environmental conditions the butter is exposed to after preparation.
In conclusion, the quality of Shea Butter may range from excellent to very poor. Shea Butter of excellent quality may be used to treat a number of skin conditions, and serve as an excellent moisturizer as well. On the other hand, poor quality Shea Butter is good only for moisturizing purposes, and should be compared with products such as cocoa butter and mango butter.
SHEA BUTTER CLASSIFICATION:
At the institute we classify various Shea Butters imported from Africa as one of the following classes. Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class F. Where class A is Premium Shea Butter, while class F is poor quality Shea Moisturizer. It is important to note that Class A is ideally suited for the 21 reasons listed below, as a well as a number of other healing properties not mention here. While Class F has little or no healing properties and should be used as a moisturizer or mixed in cosmetic products like lotions and soaps for improved moisturizing. If you are in need of only moisturizing properties, you should consider less expensive natural products such as cocoa butter or mango butter. These two products are as effective as Shea Butter for pure moisturizing. At the Institute we encourage consumers to look for the Seal of the American Shea Butter Institute on the container before they buy the product. The Institute’s Seal will assure you are buying High Quality Premium Shea Butter.
BUYERS BEWARE:
In the US, some alter their Shea Butter in an attempt to give it a better fragrance and texture. Others alter Shea Butter for economic reasons. These alterations may disturb or in some cases destroy the natural integrity of the product. While altered Shea Butter may smell nicely, or when mixed with less expensive ingredients may cost much less, in many of such cases the altered Shea Butter has lost significant properties. Another problem the buyer must watch for is the age of the product. Shea Butter could be as much as two to three years old or older by the time it reaches the buyers hand. At the Institute we know that as Shea Butter ages the original clinical potency and healing power are also lost. We recommended that Shea Butter is used within 18 months from the date of extraction from the seed. To avoid these problems be sure to look for The Seal of The American Shea Butter Institute on the container before you buy. At The American Shea Butter Institute, we do not endorse, promote or recommend Shea Butter that contains fillers, chemical preservatives, added chemicals or Shea Butter has been improperly stored. Our goal is to recommend Shea Butter that has retained its natural healing powers.
WHAT SETS SHEA BUTTER APART FROM OTHER NATURAL OILS:
Most seed oils can be divided into two important fractions. The first fraction is the called the saponifiable fraction, which contains most of the moisturizing properties,(moisturizing fraction). The second fraction is called the nonsaponifiable fraction, which contains most of the healing properties, (healing fraction). What sets Shea Butter apart from other seed oils is its exceptionally large healing fraction. The healing fraction, contains important nutrients, vitamins, and other valuable phytonutrients required for healing. Depending on the source, the size of the healing fraction may range from 5% and upward. Some report the healing fraction as high as 17%. The larger the healing fraction the better the chances are for a good quality Shea Butter. In other seed oils, the healing fraction is very small, often in the range of 1% or less. While other seed oils may have a good to excellent moisturizing fraction, these oils contain little or no healing fraction. Because Shea Butter has such a large healing fraction, in addition to moisturizing fraction, regular use of this natural cream can treat many skin problems, including blemishes, wrinkles, itching, sunburns, small skin wounds, eczema, skin allergies, insect bites, frost bite, and other skin conditions. It is because of these unique healing properties that the shea tree got its name, the karite tree, which means the TREE OF LIFE.
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SHEA BUTTER:
Shea Butter, the multi-purpose all natural vitamin A skin cream, is derived from the seed of the Shea tree. The cream is extracted and prepared without the use of chemicals. The best Shea Butter for skin use is prepared by cold press methods without use of added chemicals or preservative.
CHARACTERISTICS AND AVAILABILITY:
Shea butter substitutes are not likely to give you the results mention in this document. At room temperature, Premium Shea Butter is a soft uniformly beige colored creamy solid that readily melts in the hands and is quickly absorbed by the skin.. When left in a hot room or near a heat source, Shea Butter will readily melt just as any other butter. At room temperature, using a butter knife, Premium Shea Butter spreads very nicely as soft butter or margarine does. Shea Butter is not yellow, green, gray, dark brown, or white. Shea products with these colors are modified substitutes sometimes bearing the name 100% Shea Butter. Furthermore, pure natural Shea Butter has a characteristic smell. Once you smell pure natural Shea Butter, you will always know the smell. In fact, some first time users of Shea Butter occasionally say the smell of Shea Butter is not the most attractive smell. However, after 10 or 20 minutes on the body the butter has no smell. Unaltered Shea Butter does not have a cologne or perfume fragrance. If your Shea Butter does not have the characteristic smell, color and does not spread like butter, it is probably not a good quality Shea Butter. BEAWARE!
The worldwide availability of Shea Butter Cream may depends at times on the needs of the chocolate industry. The chocolate manufacturers to make chocolate use most Shea exported from producing countries. Shea Butter use in the cosmetic industry is a very small fraction of the annual shea harvest.
INGREDIENTS: Pure Premium High Quality All Natural Shea Butter.
21 REASONS TO USE SHEA BUTTER:
Shea Butter will provide improvement in all the conditions listed below. As you use this multi-purpose cream you are likely to discover additional uses. The amount of time required for optimum results with various conditions may vary with each condition. Wrinkles, for example, require 4 to 6 weeks of daily use. Itching is relieved immediately.
1. Dry skin
WHO SHOULD USE SHEA BUTTER:
Everyone! Every household should have a jar of Shea Butter, either among the beauty supplies for soft smooth better looking skin, or in the medicine cabinet for minor skin injuries around the house. SHEA BUTTER IS THE SKIN’S BEST FRIEND!
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SHEA BUTTER INSTITUTE
Background: In the late 90’s, failure to get consistent healing results from various imported Shea Butters, lead to the observation that all Shea Butter were not equally effectively. The answer to this problem became clear, after a 7-country tour of West Africa’s Shea region. On the tour, Dr. Hunter learned that there were many variations in both the traditional method for processing Shea Butter. Significant variations occurred from village to village, from country to country and region to region. Today we know that the absence of a strict and uniform procedure for preparation of Shea Butter in Africa is one among several factors contributing to the inequality found in various preparations of 100% African Shea Butter. We also understand that there are many post production factors in the US and Africa that significantly contributes to the profound disparities found in shea butter currently in the American market To that end, we made the commitment to develop criteria to normalize shea butter of varying quality or composition. Through biochemical analysis we have developed criteria for a classification system that may be used to compare or differentiate one batch of shea butter from another. Using this system, a pound of grade A shea butter maybe equal 2 or 3 pounds of a lesser grade of shea butter. We believe the classification of various shea butter based on a set of strict guidelines is good for the industry. Most importantly, the classification of various shea butter is priceless for the consumer.
The American Shea Butter Institute (ASBI) Mission: The ASBI mission is consumer and industry education on shea butter, establish voluntary standards on quality of Shea Butter entering the USA, provide basic and applied research to identify shea butter ingredients or derivatives of its ingredients as new solutions for important problems in nutrition, health care and material science, and promote the benefits of this product for solutions in various US industries.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AMERICAN SHEA BUTTER INSTITUTE:
Technical Support: We are particularly interested in providing technical support to members of the Shea Butter Association. This support may include one or more areas such as;
Education: From the education side, The ASBI provides a periodic One-Day workshop on Shea Butter. This One-Day workshop provides attendees an extremely large volume of information on Shea Butter. We know of no other organized educational source for Shea Butter in the United States. This course is a must for importers, manufacturers, formulators, distributors, marketers, retailers, professional users, and Shea Butter enthusiasts. The workshop can be provided anywhere in the country for a large or small group. Contact the Institute for specifics.
Marketing Materials: Our educational efforts also include various articles on Shea Butter. Our most quoted article is, 21 reasons to use SHEA BUTTER. These articles are written primarily for consumers, announcing or discussing the various benefit of Shea Butter. These articles are intended to promote the US Shea Butter industry by;
Referral Services: The institute does not sell shea butter or any shea butter products. All inquiries to the Institute for purchase of shea butter are referred to those distributors, manufacturers, or retailers with certified Shea Butter. We restrict our efforts to education, research, certification, and industry promotion. We are working diligently to increase the suppliers of certified shea butter both in the United states, Africa, and other destinations, for those who voluntarily desire to have their shea butter certified for US consumers.
Shea Butter Association: We are proud to be one of the founding members of the association, along with other founding members attending the 2002 workshop in Atlanta. The Shea Butter Association is open for persons in the industry from most countries. Founding members at the workshop include members from Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Togo, and the Untied States. By the time the 2003 National Shea Butter Convention comes around we expect a strong international membership committed to moving the industry forward. The Institute intends to continue a strong participating roll in developing the Shea Butter Association and promoting the American Shea Butter Industry.
NEW WEBSITE: Keep a watch for the Institute’s new comprehensive Website. The new Website will be loaded with educational material on Shea Butter and direct links to products containing ASBI-certified Shea Butter from various member manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Career Opportunities at The American Shea Butter Institute
Contact:
"100 % PURE NATURAL SHEA BUTTER" is an all-natural vitamin A cream. Shea Butter has shown to be a superb moisturizer, with exceptional healing properties for the skin. We now have a growing list of skin conditions where 100% Premium Shea Butter has shown to be effective. See below,21 reasons to use SHEA BUTTER.
ALL SHEA BUTTERS ARE NOT EQUALLY EFFECTIVE:
02. skin rash
03. Skin peeling, after tanning
04. Blemishes and wrinkles
05. Itching skin
06. Sunburn
07. Shaving cream for a smooth silky shave.
08. Small skin wounds
09. 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.)
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.
Factors that led to Organizing the American Shea Butter Institute: Early factors that lead to organizing The American Shea Butter Institute were;
1. Recognition of the extremely wide variations in the quality and potency of Shea Butter entering the United States.
2. Lack of governmental or industrial standards for quality and classification of Shea Butter
3. Lack of reliable sources of information on Shea Butter.
In 2001 The Institute was organized to fill the existing void on Shea Butter standards, scientific data and to serve as the primary source for consumer and industrial Shea Butter information and education.
ASBI Seal Of Certification: Currently, The ASBI is the only known institution as part of its mission is a commitment to standards and quality of Shea Butter entering the USA. Shea Butter that conforms to a strict set of standards is awarded The ASBI Seal Of Certification. ASBI-certification means a given Shea Butter has successfully passed a number of laboratory and clinical tests and is therefore distinguished by its classification for all to know its inherent quality. For information on certification contact us for details.
New Products and New Industries: Our work at the Institute has uncovered many new uses for Shea Butter. Where possible, we happily pass new information to members of the Shea Butter Association. Because we feel it is essential to open new markets in the US for shea butter we are particularly interested in assisting with the development of new products and new markets.
· Criteria for fruit selection for shea butter processing in African
· Establishing proper methods for processing to enhance yield and quality
· Methods for seed (almond) storage for year round production
· Methods for post production storage of butter to safeguard quality
· Shipping procedures to safeguard quality
· Methods to avoid rancidity
· Shelf life studies
· Quality testing and analysis
· Product development for manufacturers,
· Where necessary, establish appropriate clinical trials for FDA approvals
· Product applications in US industries, such as baseball industry, pet industry, medicine and others industries
· Conversion of technical language to layman’s language for marketing purposes.
· Test marketing of new products, and other assistance with market development
1. Consumer education
2. Encourage quality standards industry wide
3. Reduce the trafficking of contaminated Shea Butter into US markets
4. Create and promote new products and new markets for Shea Butter
5. Encourage consumers to look for the Institute’s Seal of Certification, to assure the consumer high quality Shea Butter.
Wanted: Biochemist. Must have minimum of a MS degree in biochemistry, with at least 3 years experience in oilseed chemistry. Compensation package consistent with training and experience. Contact Dr. Sam Hunter, ASBI or forward resume to address below.
Dr. Sam Hunter
The American Shea Butter Institute
2660 Buena Vista Road
PO Box 7906
Columbus, GA 31908-7906
Tel: 706 221 2326, Fax 706 507 2225
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Copyright © 2001 Sam Hunter, MD.,Ph.D, American Shea Butter Institute. All Rights Reserved.