The Tree of Life

Karite tree, also known as Galam, Shea or Butyrospermum Parkii is considered sacred by many tribes in Western and Central Africa, where it grows. It is often called a Tree of Life. Why?

Karite tree grows naturally in the wild, dry Savannah surrounding and can live up to 300 years. Its different parts are being used in various ways: the tree bark helps with gastric pains; the flowers, fruits and seeds are edible, the oil is used widely in the food industry and of course an amazing Shea Butter pressed from the Shea Nuts is renown worldwide for its endless cosmetic and healing benefits. In a very demanding, African climate the Shea Butter became the most important product for export and gives the population work and earnings. There is no doubt that 'Karite' which means 'Life' is a perfect name for this amazing plant.

The Shea fruits are handpicked by local women as men are traditionally not allowed to touch the Karite Trees. The fruits seeds are then boiled making the shell easier to break, and then dried in the sun. The shell is removed leaving the kernel to be crushed, roasted and ground into a paste. The shea paste is then churned by hand for about two hours to extract the shea butter which is skimmed off, washed and cooled to solidify.

I'm sure you've already heard about the wonderful benefits of this butter but I wouldn't be myself if I didn't remind you of some of them. Shea butter is emollient, softening, smoothing, anti inflammatory, antibacterial, improves skin's elasticity, helps with allergies, regenerates skin, protects from UV rays, wind and cold...ufff it really is one of the most amazing natural cosmetic ingredients. The butter that I use in my products comes from Ghana, is fair trade, organic and unrefined- most valuable and full of amazing components such as essential fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic, vitamins A, E and F and allantoin.

You will find Shea Butter in all Mayka creams: face and eye creams, hand cream, foot butter and of course stretch marks butter. The biggest amount of this incredible ingredient however is present in the below product: Mayka Natural Protection face and body cream, that has been formulated for dry, damaged and sensitive skin, great for children's little faces to protect from all weather conditions. Apart from Organic, Unrefined Shea Butter the cream contains Natural Vitamin E, Oat Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil and Carrot Macerate. No water and no essential oils added.