A review of ethnomedicinal uses o…Sub-Saharan Africa.
🔬 Peer-reviewed
A review of ethnomedicinal uses of shea butter for dermatoses in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Pearl Ugwu-Dike, Vinod E Nambudiri
Dermatologic therapy · 2022
Findings
Researchers found 24 different dermatological uses for shea butter across Sub-Saharan Africa, with the strongest evidence for treating scabies, wound healing, and umbilical cord care. Most traditional applications combined shea butter with other ingredients—particularly African oil palm—rather than using it alone. However, most studies were descriptive surveys and interviews rather than controlled clinical trials, so we don't have rigorous proof that shea butter actually works for these conditions.
Design
Review
Evidence
Moderate
Journal
Dermatologic therapy
Ingredients studied