Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Hi everyone. I've got a couple of questions about shea butter. . . . First is rancidity/shelf life. How long will it last? Is there any benefit in adding ROE to extend shelf life? Second, can herbs be infused into shea butter like they are in liquid oils? I've been asked to make a shea butter w/ arnica for drummers. I'd considered adding arnica infused olive or sweet almond oil (and maybe whipping it) but they really don't want the shea butter diluted . . . Comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated! TIA, rox ______________ Get your name as your email address. Includes spam protection, 1GB storage, no ads and more Only $1.99/ month - visit http://www.mysite.com/name today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 Hi Rox, > >Hi everyone. I've got a couple of questions about shea butter. . . . Oh good, something I can contribute too! > >First is rancidity/shelf life. How long will it last? Is there any >benefit in adding ROE to extend shelf life? Depends on what type of shea you're talking about. Unrefined will be good medicinally 18 months from production, then slowly degrade in vitamins and increase in fatty acids that lead to rancidity. You should be able to get 2 years shelf life out of either refined or unrefined if not longer. Yes, adding ROE or Vit E (mixed tocopherols) can and will help prevent oxidation which leads to rancidity. > >Second, can herbs be infused into shea butter like they are in liquid >oils? I've been asked to make a shea butter w/ arnica for drummers. I'd >considered adding arnica infused olive or sweet almond oil (and maybe >whipping it) but they really don't want the shea butter diluted . . . Yes, it can. However if you want to keep the beneficial vitamins and nutrients in unrefined shea butter then you'll want to hold the heat very low, like 120-150F most. If it's refined you're using, then you don't have to be so careful. If this is for their drum skins, then no it shouldn't be diluted down, if it's for skin it's a personal preference thing. >Comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated! > >TIA, rox HTH, Margaret http://www.naturalindulgences.com _______________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 I've done a form of solar infusion with my unrefined shea and my rosemary. I set some of the shea out to melt, add the rosemary fresh cut from the bush. I actually let the shea set up again when I bring it inside leaving it to absorb as much of the rosemary as it can. I solar-melt again when I'm ready to clean out the rosemary. Two of my massage therapist clients really love this stuff. HTH ... Linda Wallen ljwallen - " Roxanne Shank " <gentlelake > Second, can herbs be infused into shea butter like they are in liquid > oils? I've been asked to make a shea butter w/ arnica for drummers. I'd > considered adding arnica infused olive or sweet almond oil (and maybe > whipping it) but they really don't want the shea butter diluted . . . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 Hi Linda, >I've done a form of solar infusion with my unrefined shea and my rosemary. >I >set some of the shea out to melt, add the rosemary fresh cut from the bush. Sounds great. However, not all unrefined shea can be trusted to withhold rancidity from the sun exposure. Are you leaving the shea out in a clear container? It may not be so bad if using a dark colored glass or container where the sun doesn't actually shine on the shea but can heat it up. Two things I always avoid with unrefined shea is to keep it out of the sun/light and to keep it tightly sealed (no air) when in storage. I may just have to try some rosemary from my plant in some, it is very fragrant and I never thought of that one on my own. Thanks Margaret _______________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 oops ... thanks for catching that ... I DO use an amber jar and only leave out long enough for the gentle melt. Linda - " Margaret Helm-Duell " <naturalindulgences Sunday, September 19, 2004 10:44 PM Re: Shea questions > > Hi Linda, > > >I've done a form of solar infusion with my unrefined shea and my rosemary. > >I > >set some of the shea out to melt, add the rosemary fresh cut from the bush. > > Sounds great. However, not all unrefined shea can be trusted to withhold > rancidity from the sun exposure. Are you leaving the shea out in a clear > container? It may not be so bad if using a dark colored glass or container > where the sun doesn't actually shine on the shea but can heat it up. > > Two things I always avoid with unrefined shea is to keep it out of the > sun/light and to keep it tightly sealed (no air) when in storage. > > I may just have to try some rosemary from my plant in some, it is very > fragrant and I never thought of that one on my own. Thanks > > Margaret > > _______________ > FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! > http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ > > > > > Step By Step Instructions On Making Rose Petal Preserves: http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html > > To adjust your group settings (i.e. go no mail) see the following link: /join > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2004 Report Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sorry to be so long in replying, but many thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about shelf life of shea butter and infusing herbs into it. I really appreciate it! :^D rox ______________ Get your name as your email address. Includes spam protection, 1GB storage, no ads and more Only $1.99/ month - visit http://www.mysite.com/name today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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