The shea tree, or Vitellaria paradoxa, is a 15–25 m tall deciduous tree that is well-known for its oval, 1- or 2-seeded fruits that resemble enormous plums. During the dry season, shea nuts, which are high in oil, provide energy. Sheanut butter, which contains 45% edible fat, is produced from the seeds and is used in both food and cosmetics. The tree is indigenous to Africa and is known by a number of regional names, including karité, ori, and kwùmá.
Flourishing Across 22 Nations in West Africa's Savannah Belt
The shea tree grows in the dry savannah region of West Africa, which stretches from Senegal through Sudan and the Ethiopian highlands.
Shea butter can be found in a number of nations, including Ghana, Mali, & Nigeria.
It has a long, illustrious history that dates back to the 14th century, and it thrives in a range of soil types, including clay, sand, and stony soil. Slopes with colluvial drainage and moist, organically rich soils provide for ideal settings.
Thrives In 22
Countries
About 500
Million Trees
Covers 1 Million Sq. Kms
Of Woodland Grassland
1,000 Kilometers
Of Savanna
Products made using Shea
Thriving, Preserving, and Transforming Livelihoods
The versatile tree serves various purposes and has a productive 15–20 year lifespan. Shea trees are preserved during land clearance for agriculture, with limited cultivation to prevent shading other crops. Traditional farming practices aid their growth.
From shea fruits come shea nuts, housing shea kernels. Extracting shea butter involves a meticulous 22-step process, often undertaken by rural women. Around 300,000 to 400,000 of these women contribute to the shea butter value chain.
Nourishing Benefits of Shea Butter for Skin Health
Shea butter is an ivory-colored solid fat that comes from shea tree nuts. It has traditionally been regarded as valuable for skincare because of its high vitamin and fatty acid content and its ability to provide calming, conditioning, and smoothing properties.
Transforming Cosmetics, Crafts, and Care
Various companies use shea butter for various things. used primarily in cosmetics for skin and hair care items like lip gloss, moisturisers, and hair conditioners. Due to its distinct characteristics, it is also used in small amounts by manufacturers of massage oils and soaps. It is used as a cooking oil, a wax for waterproofing, a styling product, and a component in ointments for African medicinal purposes. The durability of traditional African crafts including percussion instruments, carved shells, dried calabash gourds, and leather tuning straps is also improved.