Sophora Tetraptera vs Vitellaria Paradoxa

New Zealand's national flower, a tree used by Maori for skin conditions and wounds with the flowers and bark having medicinal properties despite toxicity concerns.

West African tree whose seeds produce shea butter, used widely in traditional medicine for skin conditions, anti-inflammatory applications, and food.

cytisine, matrine, baptifoline, quinolizidine alkaloids

triterpene alcohols, allantoin, cinnamic acid esters, stearic acid, oleic acid

skin conditions, wound healing, historically for paralysis, hair growth

skin conditions, wound healing, inflammation, muscle pain, sun protection

wound healing (topical), hair growth research

skin moisturizing, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, UV protection

Topical bark preparations only — internal use toxic

Shea butter applied topically as needed

internal use toxic, pregnancy, children, alkaloid toxicity risk

allergy to shea

severe toxicity internally, nausea, paralysis

rare allergic contact dermatitis