Eat this Daily, a Cure for All Diseases

By Noor H. Salem, contributing columnist

I’ve received numerous complaints from clients that the most thing they disliked about trying to live healthy lives is the restricted feeling of many diets. Instead of giving them irrational meal plans and restrictions, I enjoy recommending them to simply crowd-out. By that I mean, I have them include healthier habits in their daily life, without instantly eliminating other habits they’ve previously had. By time, the good habits will cause them to either be too full to reach for the bad habits, or simply feel nourished and satisfied due to the wonderful vitamins and minerals they’re consuming from the better options.

Of the amazing habits I recommend is to include my black seed and honey blend, found in my book, Sunnah Superfoods, in your diet every morning. I still vividly recall my father giving my siblings and I a teaspoon every morning before heading out to school, and now thank him immensely for inspiring me on this journey to study Islamic super foods thus compiling my book. I’ve tweaked and added ground ginger and cinnamon to my father’s original recipe, for a boost of anti-inflammatory, blood sugar and digestive health benefits. Cinnamon balances blood sugar spike, which is perfect to pair with honey in this recipe. The ginger adds digestive health benefits, cognitive health benefits, heart health benefits, cancer preventative benefits and so much more. Undoubtedly, the star of the recipe is the black seed, also known as the Nigella seed or black cumin. The black seed has been mentioned in numerous traditions of the prophet (peace be upon him). In one narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There is healing in black cumin or all diseases except death.” It’s remarkable; today scientists are shocked at the black seed, and how powerful of a remedy it is. In over 630 scientific studies, which I summarize in my book, black seed has been found to carry some very unique and unheard of properties. Black seed aids in preventing or healing Alzheimer’s, hair loss, obesity, heart burn, diarrhea, bloating, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. It also balances blood sugar, and is perfect to add to your daily diet. You can add it to your brownie batter (I have a recipe in my book), top it on your salad, or eat them with honey as in this recipe. They have a distinct taste, but I find that they pair well with many things.

This is also a wonderful cold-preventative remedy. Instead of quickly turning to medications when you feel like you’re falling ill, try something more natural for your body.

Ingredients:

1 cup organic raw honey (best to purchase local)

¾ cup black seeds

½ teaspoon organic cinnamon, ground

½ teaspoon organic ginger, ground

Directions:

1. Grind the black seeds in a spice grinder until finely ground.
2. Place the honey in a glass container or wide-mouthed jar. Add the ground black seeds, cinnamon, and ginger. Mix well until well-incorporated.
3. Cover with an air-tight lid, and keep in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator.
4. Take one teaspoon every morning for optimum health.

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, Sunnah Superfoods, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.