Seed cycling, the wellness scene’s ’IT” thing right now. What is it, what does it do, how it was used and why it may be worth a try….

Following my pervious post on cycle syncing, the hormone balancing conversation is continuing by taking a closer look at seed cycling. Seed cycling can be one of the easiest ways you can support your hormones in a gentle, yet effective way. This simple practice can help to support hormone levels, reduces PMS symptoms, boosts fertility and can help stimulate menstruation or regulate absent cycles (amenorrhea). Read on to learn all about seed cycling and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.

But first, what is seed cycling?

Seed cycling is the practice of eating specific seeds during the two main phases of your menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal) to help promote the healthy balance of oestrogen and progesterone levels.

HOW TO START SEED CYCLING FOR HORMONE BALANCE?

Seed cycling is quite simple. You incorporate 1-2 tbsps of pumpkin and flax seeds daily during the follicular of your cycle. Once you ovulate, you incorporate sunflower and sesame seeds daily during your luteal phase. 

DAYS 1-14 OF YOUR CYCLE (OR MENSTRUATION TO OVULATION)

• 1-2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons ground pumpkin seeds

DAYS 15-28 OF YOUR CYCLE (OR OVULATION TO MENSTRUATION) 

• 1-2 tablespoons ground sunflower seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons ground sesame seeds

What if my cycle is not regular or absent?

It’s possible to incorporate seed cycling even if you have irregular or missing periods. Instead of rotating with the phases of your cycling, you’ll follow the phases of the moon as a general guideline.

What’s it got to do with the moon?

The moon is powerful especially for women. It controls the waves in the ocean, can affect our centre of gravity and has an effect on your menstrual cycle.The moon has forever been known as a feminine symbol and the average menstrual cycle and moon cycle are both 28 days. This is no coincidence. Many women’s cycles (when balanced) naturally follow the phases of the moon, look back throughout female history and ancient wisdom correlates rituals and ceremonies around the new and full moon.

MOON PHASES SEED CYCLING GUIDELINES

• Days 1-14 (new moon to full moon), eat pumpkin seeds and flax seeds.
• Days 15-28 (full moon to new moon), eat sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.

Why these seeds in particular? The Science

The seeds are specific to balance levels of particular hormones during each phase, the combination of the two works to bring equilibrium to the body and to carefully give us what we need and when we need it.

FOLLICULAR PHASE

The follicular phase is the first phase of the menstrual cycle, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds help improve our oestrogen levels while preventing excess oestrogen. Flax seeds contain lignans which bind to excess oestrogen. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which helps support progesterone production as you move towards the progesterone rise in the second phase of your cycle.

LUTEAL PHASE

During the second phase of your cycle, the luteal phase, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds help boost progesterone production. Sesame seeds are a rich source of zinc which help boost progesterone production and also contain lignans that help block excess estrogen while progesterone rises. Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E and selenium. Vitamin E can help boost progesterone production, while selenium helps detox the liver of excess oestrogen.

INCORPORATING SEED CYCLING INTO YOUR EVERYDAY ROUTINE:

It’s recommended to eat 1-2 tablespoons of the specific seeds each day. Raw, ground seeds are best, especially for the flax and sesame.

Think of your seeds like hormone balancing sprinkles. You can add them to anything!

Some ways to incorporate the seeds:

• Adding them to smoothies,
• On top of yogurt
• Sprinkle on toast
• On top of salads 
• For an added crunch on top of soups
• To make pesto with
• Making your own seed butter

Takeaway

Even though there is yet to be any medical studies done on seed cycling, profound results have been demonstrated in women who have been struggling with hormonal imbalance. If you’re looking for a natural remedy to balance hormones and feel optimal in your body and mind, seed cycling is definitely worth a try. When I think of trying out a new health protocol, I way up the risk and reward factors and especially with seed cycling I can only see reward factors that come with the practise. So way up your risk and rewards and make informed decisions about what you choose to subscribe towards. Maybe you will give it a go for a couple months and see how you feel incorporating this complimentary natural way of balancing your hormones.