I am excited to announce our new section Interviews with Dr. Muhammad. I will be bringing Entrepreneurs in the health and wellness industry. The first of which is with Ureka Nurah Washington. Let me know what you think? Leave a comment below. Connect with her on all of her social media platforms and check out her children’s book.
I have talked about and used black seed in my practice and with my family since 1993. I even had some of my patients bring it back for me from Hajj.
Narrated Khalid bin Sa`d:
“حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ خَرَجْنَا وَمَعَنَا غَالِبُ بْنُ أَبْجَرَ فَمَرِضَ فِي الطَّرِيقِ، فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَهْوَ مَرِيضٌ، فَعَادَهُ ابْنُ أَبِي عَتِيقٍ فَقَالَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذِهِ الْحُبَيْبَةِ السَّوْدَاءِ، فَخُذُوا مِنْهَا خَمْسًا أَوْ سَبْعًا فَاسْحَقُوهَا، ثُمَّ اقْطُرُوهَا فِي أَنْفِهِ بِقَطَرَاتِ زَيْتٍ فِي هَذَا الْجَانِبِ وَفِي هَذَا الْجَانِبِ، فَإِنَّ عَائِشَةَ حَدَّثَتْنِي أَنَّهَا سَمِعَتِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْحَبَّةَ السَّوْدَاءَ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ إِلاَّ مِنَ السَّامِ ”. قُلْتُ وَمَا السَّامُ قَالَ الْمَوْتُ
We went out and Ghalib bin Abjar was accompanying us. He fell ill on the way and when we arrived at Medina he was still sick. Ibn Abi ‘Atiq came to visit him and said to us, “Treat him with black cumin. Take five or seven seeds and crush them (mix the powder with oil) and drop the resulting mixture into both nostrils, for `Aisha has narrated to me that she heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, ‘This black cumin is healing for all diseases except As-Sam.’ Aisha said, ‘What is As-Sam?’ He said, ‘Death.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5687
One of the biggest problems that I noticed with my children was the taste of blackseed capsules and oil. I came across Sister Ureka’s information on how she developed a line of black seed gummies. Here is what she had to say.
Please introduce yourself to our audience?
My name is Ureka “Nurah” Washington. I am the mother of 6 wonderful children, a practicing American Muslim, a university lecturer, a poet, author, health coach, herbal enthusiast, and entrepreneur.
Tell us about your health journey?
Starting my health journey, from a young age, was via my parents who were always health-conscious as long as I can remember. Whether it was a nutritional Mediterranean diet provided by them while growing up, or certain homemade remedies given to my brother and I when we fell ill, I never forgot those valuable lessons. As a mother, I implemented those old lessons with a more modern twist, using herbal remedies with my own children. With the availability of so much new data to support alternative remedies, I have committed myself to using and promoting, healthier options as a contrast approach to the use of conventional pharmaceuticals.
What is Obsidian Herbal Health LLC and how did it get started?
Obsidian Herbal Health LLC is an innovative, health supplement company that focuses on the use of Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) as the base product in our specially designed gummies. We use the acronymic lettering, “Ohh..” to represent the company’s name as well as a play on the word used to express amazement, due to the pleasant taste. At Obsidian Herbal Health, we want the world to rediscover Black Seed oil in a way that encourages them to regularly include it in their wellness regime.
The Global Pandemic brought about the urgent need to strengthen my immune system, so I stepped up the use of Black Seed oil for myself and my family. But honestly, raw Black Seed oil has a pungent taste, which does not make for good motivation to consume it. That’s when I really started to think of ideas in which to make the oil more palatable. The idea of a gummy formulation came to me as I sat at my desk eating some really tasty gummy candy one night. The rest is history! As a result, we have now entered the diet supplement market with the first total wellness dietary gummy supplement with the immune powerhouse herb Black Seed and nutrient-rich Elderberry.
What is black seed?
Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) has such a strong long-standing history and is widely known in religious testimonies and also in scientific research journals. The oil from Black Seed has over 6,000 clinical studies on its efficacy. The isolated phytochemical thymoquinone (TQ) is a major bioactive compound present in the black seeds of the Nigella Sativa (NS) plant. It is non-toxic and has wide applications to cure many diseases, including diabetes and cancer. It reduces the adverse effects of asthma, inflammation, arthritis, and both gastro and liver disorders. Simply put, this amazing herb is clinically proven to alleviate a myriad of ailments.
Your product is Halal tell our readers for those who don’t know what that means?
Yes, our products are Halaal which means that it satisfies the religious requirement of not containing any pork products or derivatives. It’s also not produced on machinery that uses any of those forbidden ingredients. Furthermore, it establishes that all ingredients used in our gummies ritually fit according to Islamic law.
Tell us about your products?
Referring back to question number 5, Black Seed and its oil have been proven to remedy many ailments. Educational institutions have studied the effects of Black Seed and have found it has an elixir type performance in addressing ailments and diseases. Its immune-building components make it the cure-all herb of today.
Are the products only available in the US?
Though our products are made in America with the greatest care and always 3rd party laboratory tested for purity, manufactured in an FDA approved facility, we ship internationally.
What does your morning routine look like as it relates to exercise, eating, taking supplements, etc?
I am a total morning person. I love and cherish the mornings so much. This is a very special time of reflection and productivity for me. It’s really my Alpha time! My morning routine begins with me waking up and making dua and being grateful. After I complete my Fajr prayer, I begin my stretch and exercise routine or I walk or garden. I like to switch it up. I then write down the things that I want to accomplish for the day. My action items usually consist of three important things and then about six tasks that I hope to complete in the day. I then take a cold shower and make myself a cup of Green tea with Lemon and ginger, lots of ginger! And then I begin my day… I intermittent fast every day and so I don’t eat or take supplements until late afternoon. I have rheumatoid arthritis so I take raw calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, Super green foods, turmeric, probiotics, vitamin B 12, and of course Black seed oil and elderberry gummies.
Tell us about the charities you support through your sales?
Our business model will be that we will partner with multiple charities and good cause initiatives. Currently, I have intentions to donate to @projectcharlo. It is a non-profit organization that services so many good causes all under one roof, Mashallah.
What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your role/business/project right now and how are you tackling it?
The biggest challenge that I’m facing now in my role as CEO of the company is activities management. I say activities management and not time management because we can’t manage time. That is something that is with a lot but we can manage our activities during the time that we are given. There are a multitude of tasks and dynamics to running a business and the family. I don’t want to neglect my responsibility to either of these. So creating a balance between them all and at the same time having some time for myself is challenging sometimes. What I’m doing to manage or tackle this challenge is to be in constant reflection on Allah’s blessings and Qadr, be in the moment, find the good/fun in all of this, be patient with myself and take deep breaths.
Who has been your most important professional mentor?
My parents are my most important mentors. Both my parents worked and sacrificed so much for me. They still advise and encourage me in so many aspects of my life. I look up to them. Both of my parents are and were educators and entrepreneurs.
What underrated tool(s) are indispensable for your job?
Oh, this is a good question! I would have to say the most indispensable tools are the ones that allow me to create content, for example, Canva, Inshot, or Adobe. These are physical software tools and allow me to create content and ads for my social media.
The non-tangible tools for me would be creativity, confidence, critical thinking, organization, problem-solving, and effective communication tools and skills.
What are three books you’d recommend to my audience and why?
Baraka Journal-Its an Islamic daily planner that helps you to set your intentions for the day that are centered around first being successful with Allah. I love this journal. It was gifted to me by my best friend.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike- I’ve read this book twice! It shows the challenges that are familiar to any start-up business or entrepreneur. It has a wonderful message of perseverance to listen to what is another question: what tools are in this, work ethic and creating a company culture that is loyal and positive. Something that I strive to do with my own company.
The last book I would recommend to your audience would be the book I authored. It’s a children’s book called, The Gardeners’ Daughter. It is a story poem that highlights the life lessons I unconsciously picked up from my father just from his presence in the home, and how those valuable life lessons shaped my life now. I even talk about black seed oil in the book, lol. It is also a workbook to guide young people towards recognizing people in their own lives who make a difference.
It’s available on Amazon
What is it like being a Muslim woman entrepreneur?
Being a Muslim woman entrepreneur is an amazing and fulfilling position. Notably, I am working with and herb that was recommended by our Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) so for me, this is a great opportunity for dawah and to inshallah obtain أجر من الله. I say Dawah because, through these efforts to promote Black seed, which is first and foremost Tibb an-Nabawi, it allows people to see and witness the divine truth in the statements of our beloved Prophet. Alhumdullilah.
I say that it is an opportunity to obtain blessings because through helping people two have better health I pray that Allah will reward me. And also, being a Muslim women entrepreneur gives me the financial ground to be able to contribute to charities or individuals in need, Mashallah.
What’s one thing your business/successful venture did that you didn’t expect?
Yeah, The one thing that this business did that I did not expect or plan for or even think about is that it put me personally in front of and in contact with so many new people. I am somewhat of an introvert, I thrive in working alone and I listen more than I talk. So I have been taken totally outside of my comfort zone and I am talking A LOT as I meet and interact with so many wonderful new people.
How can people connect with you?
I can be reached by Instagram DM @nurahwashington or by email at info@obsidianherbalhealth.com