Shea nuts
Shea nuts

The shea tree - a magical all-rounder

Short & sweet

Scientific name: Butyrospermum parkii G.DON.

Common names: African butter tree, shea tree, shea tree, shi butter tree

Family: Sapotaceae (sapote family)

Origin: Tropical Africa

Growing areas: West and Central Africa

Botany: The shea tree has a height of 6 to 12 meters and is gnarled like an oak.

Flowering time: The tree does not flower until it is 20 years old and reaches its maximum yield at 40 to 50 years.

Parts of the plant used: Fats and oils from the nuts

Interesting facts about the shea tree

Historical and popular use

In its native Africa, the shea tree is an important source of food - firstly because of the sweet flesh of the fruit and secondly because its nuts can be used to produce a popular edible fat. In addition, shea butter traditionally plays an important role in skin care and is used as a massage for rheumatism, muscle and joint pain.

Shea butter from the shea nut for a smooth skin feel

Today's use

The benefits of the shea nut are mainly appreciated in cosmetics. Creams with shea butter can be spread particularly quickly and evenly on the skin. Shea butter also contains valuable allantoin and vitamin E as skin-caring ingredients.


Thanks to their high proportion of unsaponifiable plant components, the oil and butter have good moisture-binding properties. This makes the skin feel pleasantly soft and supple - which is particularly beneficial for people with dry skin and skin that tends to dry out. They can support the regeneration of superficial skin injuries and soothe irritations. Thanks to its nourishing properties and good tolerance, shea butter is even recommended for skin prone to allergies.

Shea butter from the shea nut for a smooth skin feel

Did you know?

In Africa, magical powers are attributed to the shea tree. Only women, as the guardians of the tree, are allowed to harvest its fruit as part of a ritual ceremony.

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