Shea Butter can be used straight away as the butter simply melts onto the skin. Some customers enjoy making balms with Shea Butter and a suggested recipe is below.
Traditional Uses of Shea Butter
Rural women have been gathering and processing Shea butter in West Africa since at least the mid-fourteenth century. Muslim scholars reported on the value of Shea in the regional economy, drawing attention to its use as a moisturizer, ointment, cooking and lamp oil, and for making soap. The collection and processing of Shea nuts is central to women’s household responsibilities. The nut, which contains 50% fat, remains an essential source of nutrition for Burkinabé families.
Suggested Shea Butter Recipe
80% Shea Butter
19% Base Oil of choice
1% Vitamin E Oil
Few Drops Essential Oils of your Choice
Place the Shea Butter, Base Oil and Vitamin E Oil into a bowl.
Either microwave for 30 second intervals or double boil on the hob (saucepan of water, then place bowl with butters and oil into the saucepan of water, heat gently).
Once the butter is soft, not melted, take off the heat.
Whisk the butter and carrier/base oils on a low setting until incorporated then increase the speed to a high.
Once your butter has cooled add the essential oils of your choice. (Adding the essential oils whilst your mixture is hot will cause them to evapourate.)
Whisk the mixture again to incorporate the essential oils.
Decant into tubs or jars and allow to set.
(Vitamin E acts as a preservative to the mixture)
