Shea butter is that ivory or light white-colored vegetable fat produced from the nuts of the shea tree. It is produced from shea seeds of the shea tree which has presently gained huge attention both locally and internationally as an economic plant due to its high demand. The shea tree which is also known as karite, ori tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, Butyrospermumparkii or Karitébaum belongs to the sapotaceae family.
PHARMACEUTICAL ATTRIBUTES
- Shea butter can be used medicinally for producing drugs that lower the cholesterol levels as well as reduces the lipoprotein (LDL).
- Shea butter acts an insect repellent so it is capable of putting off insects, mosquitoes and flies when applied on the skin.
- Both the fruit, bark, leaves, seeds, stem and roots of the shea tree can be used for producing medicines for treating gastrointestinal tract infections such as helminthes, diarrhea and dysentery.
- Shea butter can be used for producing drugs for treating nasal congestion, rheumatism, inflammation of the nostrils, cough, minor bone dislocation and leprosy.