Booming demand for shea, African \\\'women\\\'s gold\\\', helps reduce poverty

ABIDJAN, Mar 30 (AFP) : The fruit of the shea tree has long been considered sacred by many in Western Africa because of its myriad health benefits.
But now growing demand among Western consumers for the fruit, known as "women's gold" by those who harvest it, is helping improve lives in some of the world's poorest communities.
Sweet-lovers around the globe already consume the nut as shea butter, which is used to make chocolate, as well as in products like margarine and as a cooking oil.
Western companies such as L'Oreal, The Body Shop and L'Occitane are also using more and more of the product as a natural moisturiser and anti-ageing ingredient in their cosmetics.