The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract or a concentrate of Butyrospermum parkii as a dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical composition and to the use of such compositions for the preparation of a medicament or a dietary supplement for the suppression of hypersensitivity and/or inflammatory reaction. The composition may optionally be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for systemic or topical administration. More specifically, the invention relates to a dietary supplement or a pharmaceutical composition comprising an extract or a concentrate of Butyrospermum parkii, wherein said extract or concentrate contains Butyrospermum-triterpenes and optionally the sterols stigmasterol, avanasterol, 24-methyl-cholest-7-enol, karitesterol A, karitesterol B and .alpha.-spinasterol.