Today we’d like to introduce you to Shakira Niazi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey didn’t start in a boardroom—it started in a hospital room. I was a mother watching my son suffer from chronic health issues, a daughter witnessing my own mother’s decline from conditions that should have been preventable. And I was a woman realizing that the system meant to protect us—our health system, our food system—was broken.
I was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. as a refugee, carrying with me not just resilience, but generations of ancient wisdom rooted in holistic living. I turned to functional medicine and whole foods in search of real healing. That’s when I discovered basil seeds—an ancient superfood used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Eastern traditions. The more I learned, the more I understood how powerful they truly are.
In 2018, I became the first to bring organic, food-grade basil seeds to the U.S. under the name Zen Basil. At first glance, they look like chia—but gram for gram, they offer so much more: 2x the fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron. They’re lectin-free, rich in polyphenols, and deeply nourishing. Honestly, they’ve been far more healing for me and my family than chia ever was.
What began as a kitchen experiment to help my loved ones has turned into something bigger than I ever imagined—a movement rooted in love, integrity, and the belief that food should heal, not harm.
My mission? To get this powerful, healing seed into every pantry in America—so families everywhere can take back control of their health, one spoonful at a time.
Zen Basil isn’t just a product. It’s a mission. As a small, family-run business led by me and my two sons, we’re standing up to an industry dominated by processed foods and profit-driven marketing. We’re offering something real—real fiber, real omegas, and real change.
Because I believe when mothers rise, communities rise. And through Zen Basil, I’m not just reclaiming health for my family—I’m inspiring thousands of others to do the same.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is going up against big brands with massive marketing budgets. The chia industry, for example, dominates the market—not because it’s better, but because those companies can spend millions on influencer partnerships and advertising. It’s important to understand that chia seeds aren’t just a health trend—they’re big business. For over 20 years, chia has been protected and promoted by large corporations, big food, and big agriculture. But what many don’t know is that this “superfood” may not be so super after all.
Over two decades ago, Dr. Loren Cordain, often referred to as the Godfather of Paleo, conducted a human trial in Colorado to examine the true benefits of chia seeds. Shockingly, the trial revealed that chia increased inflammatory markers in participants—raising serious concerns about its long-term health impact.
This aligns with what Dr. Steven Gundry has been outspoken about for years: chia seeds contain lectins, compounds that can trigger inflammation in the body. But this truth isn’t widely shared—because if it were, it could threaten thousands of products and seriously impact big food profits.
This has been one of the biggest roadblocks in bringing Zen Basil to the masses. We’re not just offering a better seed—we’re challenging a well-established narrative backed by decades of industry marketing. But we believe in truth, transparency, and the power of food to heal. And we won’t stop until every pantry in America has access to the real superseed: Zen Basil seeds.
We’re the underdogs in every sense. It’s just me and my two sons, running Zen Basil as a small family business. We don’t have the resources to pay influencers or run large ad campaigns. What we do have is a product rooted in purpose, integrity, and real health benefits—and that’s been our superpower.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m Shakira, the founder of Zen Basil, and I specialize in health and wellness—especially gut health and naturally reversing the effects of aging. I’ve spent years learning, healing, and now sharing that knowledge with others. At 54 years old, I’ve never felt better. I’ve reversed obesity, diabetes, chronic pain, back and joint arthritis, and significantly reduced my thyroid medication—all while managing menopause. I’ve lost over 40 pounds, I’m no longer depressed, the hot flashes are gone, my skin is finally clear, my energy is through the roof, and my hair and nails have never been stronger. And no—I haven’t had a single procedure.
What changed everything for me was gut health. That’s where real healing begins. And for me, Zen Basil Seeds were the key that unlocked this transformation. They’re not just a product—we created Zen Basil to be a clean, powerful tool to help people feel their best, inside and out.
What truly sets us apart is our heart. We’re not a massive corporation with paid influencers or trendy buzzwords. We’re a small, family-run business—just me and my two sons. I’m most proud of working alongside them, teaching them the truth about our food system and why clean, real ingredients matter. Additives and preservatives might seem harmless, but over time, they quietly chip away at our health.
And giving back is a part of who we are. Through Zen Basil, we’ve been able to build over 40 clean water wells in remote villages of Afghanistan—places where families still don’t have access to something that should be a basic human right: safe drinking water. It’s our way of staying rooted in our purpose—to nourish, to heal, and to uplift lives, both here and around the world.
At Zen Basil, we believe it’s never too late to feel your best. Age is just a number. And I want every woman to know that when you heal your gut, you transform your life—from the inside out.
What’s next?
There’s so much we’re excited about right now. One of the biggest things is our partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market, which we’re incredibly grateful for. The fact that their own management team reached out and handpicked Zen Basil to be rolled out in all of their stores is a massive moment for us. It tells us that people are waking up—they’re starting to prioritize gut health, fiber, and real food again.
Our goal has always been to get Zen Basil Seeds into every pantry in America, and this partnership is a major step in that direction. We believe deeply in the power of food to heal, and we’re on a mission to fight back against the toxic, ultra-processed products that have taken over our shelves.
We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new product: Zen Basil Biohack Protein.
It’s the first of its kind—not your typical “protein powder,” but real, whole food nutrients. No powders, no fillers. Just organic basil seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and black seeds—naturally delivering:
20g fiber – to nourish the gut and support digestion
17g protein – clean, plant-powered fuel for strength and recovery
18g omegas – essential fatty acids for brain, heart, and skin health
Each ingredient has its own superpower:
Zen Basil Seeds: packed with fiber, polyphenols, and natural antioxidants for gut health and anti-aging
Flax Seeds: rich in lignans and Omega-3s to help lower inflammation and support hormone balance
Hemp Seeds: a complete protein source with all nine essential amino acids, plus magnesium for muscle and nerve health
Black Seeds: known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, used in traditional healing for centuries
Looking ahead, we’re focused on continued education—especially around gut health, fiber deficiency, and the dangers of additives and preservatives. We want to empower more families, especially moms and young people, to understand how much food truly impacts every part of our health.
And as a small, family-run business—just me and my two sons—we’re excited to keep growing in a way that stays true to our values. We’re not chasing trends or big-budget marketing; we’re building something real, rooted in love, integrity, and transparency.
Pricing:
- Zen Basil Biohack Protein: $48
- Zen Basil Seeds: $19.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zenbasil.com
- Instagram: Amazon: Zen Basil
- Facebook: IG: @zenbasil
- Twitter: FB: @zenbasil
- Youtube: Tiktok: @zenbasil
