Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
What Is Shea Butter?
Shea
butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of
the Shea (Karite) tree. It may offer mild UV protection (up to SPF ~6)
and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients
necessary for collagen production.
Shea butter has been used in
Africa and many other locations for years to improve skin and hair. It
also has a long history of medicinal use, such as in wound care and even
treating leprosy.
It’s also not uncommon in that part of the
world to eat shea as well, much as we use palm oil in products. There’s
differing opinions on whether or not it’s healthy to eat, and since some
studies suggest that ingesting shea butter may interfere with the
digestion of other proteins, I use it externally only.
Shea Butter Benefits
- Moisturizing: The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in shea makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils.
- Reduces Inflammation: A 2010 study found that due to its cinnamic acid and other natural properties, shea butter was anti-inflammatory. One compound in particular, lupeol cinnamate, was found to reduce skin inflammation and even potentially help avoid skin mutations. This also makes it beneficial for some people with acne.
- Skin Smoothing: Shea aids in the skin’s natural collagen production and contains oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids that protect and nourish the skin to prevent drying. With long-term use, many people report skin softening and strengthening as well as wrinkle reduction.
The good news is, it’s great to use on kids and babies too!
Ways to Use Shea Butter
Shea
butter is one of the most versatile natural beauty ingredients and I
use it daily in some form. I’ve used it for years in everything from my
homemade lotion bars and original magnesium body butter to homemade lip
balms and healing salves.
Some of my favorite uses for shea butter:
- By itself for face and body as a natural moisturizer
- In a shea butter lotion bar stick for easy use
- After sun or beach exposure to replenish skin
- Alone or in a pregnancy salve to ward off stretch marks
- As a natural cuticle cream
- As the best under-eye wrinkle remover and bag-reducer
- As a massage butter
- In my homemade velvety soft whipped body butter
- On sore/raw noses during a cold or flu
- Added to basic homemade lotion
- On scars to naturally help collagen production
- As a base for homemade deodorant
- By itself for low-grade sun protection
- Whipped into magnesium body butter
- As a natural baby-care product (alone) or ingredient in baby care recipes
- By itself on the lips or in homemade lip balms
- In a homemade shimmer lip balm
- On the eyelids before applying makeup to make it last longer
- To improve skin elasticity (some even say it helps with cellulite)
- On the hair or scalp (in mixture with other natural ingredients)
- In homemade liquid creme foundation and makeup
TIP:
If the shea butter is too thick for what you’re trying to do, melt it
over very low heat and then use. Do not let it get close to boiling or
you will lose beneficial properties. You can also emulsify it with other
oils using the technique in my lotion recipe.
Katie Wells https://wellnessmama.com/27324/shea-butter-benefits/
To get Shea butter products from iHerb https://fas.st/-nW4YH
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