Episode 214: Why Black Seed Is So Revered with Abrar Al-Shaer

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Would you prefer watching or reading this episode? If so, click here for the How to Use Black Seed video and transcript.

Episode Summary

Is there anything black seed can’t do?

In this episode, herbalist and nutritionist Abrar Al-Shaer takes a deep dive into the many gifts of black seed (Nigella sativa), a revered herb that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Abrar has been studying this plant since she was a child, and has so much to share about it—from the home remedies her mother gave her as a child, to ancient teachings from Islamic medicine, and even modern-day medical research on this celebrated plant.

Abrar also shares her recipe for Black Seed Herbal Energy Bites—combined with warming spices and fragrant rose water, this is a deliciously nourishing way to get black seed into your diet! You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card from the section below.

As Abrar notes, it is traditionally thought that black seed can help with almost any ailment—and if it can’t, it’s just because we haven’t figured out how to properly prepare it yet! Here are just a few ways that black seed can be worked with to benefit your health:

► Supports lung health, providing relief for coughs, bronchitis, and asthma

► Promotes cardiovascular health, including healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels

► Topically, black seed oil helps to nourish and protect the skin

To learn even more of black seed’s benefits, be sure to check out the entire episode!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► Why black seed has been revered for centuries in traditional Islamic medicine

► The many ways black seed can be prepared: mixed into honey, added to water or food, pressed into oil—or even applied by the drop into the nostrils!

► What modern research says about black seed’s role in cardiovascular and metabolic health

► How black seed can support both acute concerns, such as chest congestion or tooth pain, as well as long-term chronic health concerns like inflammation and immune resilience

► Simple, food-based ways to incorporate black seed into everyday meals

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Dr. Abrar Al-Shaer, PhD, RD is a registered dietitian and herbalist and the owner of Precision Women’s Care, a women’s health integrative nutrition & herbal medicine practice. She is also a clinical teaching professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Medicine, where she teaches advanced case management in integrative nutrition therapy.

Dr. Abrar completed her PhD in nutritional biochemistry & immunology with a dietetic specialization in high-risk OBGYN. With over a decade of experience as an herbalist, she frequently weaves together her herbal medicine and medical nutrition backgrounds to provide patients the highest quality of care.

I can’t wait to share our conversation with you today!

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Intro to Abrar Al-Shaer + her plant path
• [13:59] Black seed in Palestinian culture
• [18:39] The importance of building relationship with plants
• [22:37] Home remedies with black seed
• [26:21] Black seed oil benefits
• [28:54] Traditional uses and preparations for black seed
• [40:25] Scientific research on black seed
• [45:47] Black Seed Herbal Energy Bites recipe
• [51:20] Growing black seed
• [54:39] Abrar’s current herbal projects
• [1:04:20] How herbs instill hope in Abrar
• [1:15:32] Student spotlight
• [1:16:50] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe!

Connect with Abrar:

• Website | PrecisionWomensCare.com
• Instagram | @precision.womens.care

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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