Edible Parts: Flowers  Fruit  Inner bark  Oil  Sap  Seed
Edible Uses: Gum  Oil

The kernel of the seed (often incorrectly called 'nut') contains a vegetable fat known as shea butter[63 , 299 , 301 ]. Shea butter from fresh seeds is white, odourless and of high quality, while that from stale seeds is dark, and tastes bitter[299 ]. High quality shea butter is consumed throughout West Africa as a cooking fat. Refined fat has been marketed as margarine and baking fat. It is used for pastries and confectionery because it makes the dough pliable[63 , 299 ]. It is a useful cocoa butter substitute because it has a similar melting point (32 - 45?C) and high amounts of di-stearin (30%) and some stearo-palmitine (6.5%) which make it blend with cocoa butter without altering flow properties[299 ]. In rural areas, seeds are traditionally processed by hot water extraction, usually the job of women. The fruit pulp is first removed for food, or by fermentation or boiling. The seeds are then boiled and later sun- or kiln-dried. Sun-drying may take 5 - 10 days. Seeds are cracked using mortar and pestle, or stones; the kernels are removed by trampling and redried before being crushed, ground and kneaded to form a paste; the paste is put in water, heated or boiled and the boiling mass is churned until a grey, oily fat separates from the emulsion. The fat is skimmed off from the surface and washed to remove impurities. The congealed fat may subsequently undergo further refining before being moulded in to various forms[299 ]. This traditional method of processing is inefficient and labour intensive. Mechanization of the various operations, in particular the use of hydraulic or continuous screw expellers or application of solvent extraction, will improve oil extraction efficiency considerably. Pre-treatment of the kernel paste with enzymes (e.g. proteases and cellulases) may also result in higher extraction rates[299 ]. In spite of their slightly laxative properties, mature fresh fruits are considered an important local food[299 ]. They are commonly eaten in savannah regions because they ripen during the land preparation and planting season[299 ].The pulp has a sweet flavour[299 ]. The flowers are also considered an important local foods[299 ] They are sometimes made into fritters[299 ]. The reddish latex which exudes from deep cuts in the bark is used as a chewing gum[299 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antidermatosic  Antidiarrhoeal  Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Dysentery  Odontalgic  Ophthalmic  
Skin

Shea butter is a suitable base for topical medicines. Its application relieves rheumatic and joint pains and heals wounds, swellings, dermatitis, bruises and other skin problems[299 ]. The high proportion of unsaponifiable matter, consisting of 60 - 70% triterpene alcohols, gives shea butter creams good penetrative properties[299 ]. Allantoin, another unsaponifiable compound, is responsible for the anti-inflammatory and healing effect on the skin[299 ]. The fat is used traditionally to relieve inflammation of the nostrils[299 ]. Clinical tests with patients suffering from rhinitis, and having moderate to severe nasal congestion, showed that shea butter may relieve nasal congestion better than conventional nasal drops[299 ]. The leaves are used to treat stomach-ache[299 ]. They are also added to vapour baths to treat headache and as an eye bath[299 ]. Ground roots and bark are used to treat diarrhoea, jaundice and stomach-ache[299 ]. Bark infusions have medicinal and antimicrobial properties, e.g. against dysentery[299 ]. They are applied as an eyewash to counteract spitting-cobra venom[299 ]. A bark decoction has been used in baths to facilitate childbirth and stimulate lactation among feeding mothers[299 ]

Charcoal  Cosmetic  Fertilizer  Filter  Fuel  Furniture  Gum  Hair  Mulch  Oil  Soap making  Teeth  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The tree regenerates well, and is traditionally favoured and protected by farmers. As a result, it has played a significant role in soil and water conservation and environmental protection in semi-arid West Africa[303 ]. The husks of the seeds make a good mulch and fertilizer[303 ]. Studies on the by-products of shea-butter processing have shown that heavy-metal ions can be removed from aqueous solutions, for example waste water, using Vitellaria seed husks[303 ]. The tree combines well with many cereal crops[303 ]. Other Uses Shea butter is a vegetable fat obtained from the seed[63 , 299 ]. Many cosmetic products, especially moisturizers, lotions and lipsticks, use it as a base because its high unsaponifiable matter content imparts excellent moisturizing characteristics[299 ]. The high proportion of unsaponifiable matter, consisting of 60 - 70% triterpene alcohols, gives shea butter creams good penetrative properties that are particularly useful in cosmetics. Allantoin, another unsaponifiable compound, is responsible for the anti-inflammatory and healing effect on the skin. It is used in toothpastes and other oral hygiene products, in shampoos, lipsticks, cosmetic lotions and creams, and other cosmetic and pharmaceutical products[299 ]. Low-quality shea butter, often mixed with other oils, is a base material for soap[299 ]. Shea butter is also very suitable for making candles because of its high melting point[299 ]. As a waterproofing agent, shea butter is used as daubing for earthen walls, doors and windows[299 ]. The black sticky residue, left after oil extraction, is used to fill cracks in walls and also as a waterproofing material[299 ]. Waste water from shea butter production has pesticidal properties[299 ]. The press cake and the husks remaining after oil extraction are potential fertilizers and fuels[299 ]. The leaves, soaked in water, produce a good lather for washing[299 ]. The reddish latex (gutta shea or red kano rubber) which exudes from deep cuts in the bark is made into glue, chewing gum and balls for children?s games[299 ]. Musicians use it to repair drums[299 ]. Only unproductive and unhealthy trees are cut for timber[299 ]. The wood is moderately heavy and hard. It is liable to crack on drying and needs to be seasoned slowly. It is difficult to work and tends to split on sawing, but it polishes well. It glues, nails and screws well, but pre-boring is recommended to avoid splitting. It is durable and resistant to termites. Both sapwood and heartwood are resistant to impregnation with preservatives[299 ]. The wood is used for poles, house posts, rafters, flooring, domestic utensils and furniture[299 ]. It is an excellent fuel wood, burning with great heat, and a source of charcoal[299 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Food Forest