Whether you’ve got irregular periods or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), managing them often feels like a tiresome task. But, did you know that you can ease your worries and regulate reproductive hormones with seeds? Yes, you read that right! Read on to learn more about a hormone-supporting practice that’s based on consuming seeds.
What is Seed Cycling?
Seed cycling is the method of having four seeds – Flax seeds, Sesame seeds, Pumpkin seeds and Sunflower seeds — on a rotational basis during your period or menstrual cycle. Commonly, it’s recommended that you have 1 tbsp each in ground or powdered form.
Flax seeds 
Pumpkin seeds 
Sesame seeds 
Sunflower seeds
The consumption cycle of these seeds is divided over two phases for your menstrual cycle:
Follicular phase: Consume Flax seeds and Pumpkin seeds
The follicular phase starts from day 1 of your period cycle and goes on till day 14. Day 14 is when ovulation occurs. This phase is marked by production of estrogen as the dominant hormone; crucial to prepare your body for ovulation. Low estrogen levels inhibit ovulation whereas high levels aggravate PMS. Thus, consuming 1 tablespoon of flax seeds and 1 tablespoon of freshly ground pumpkin seeds is advocated to promote healthy oestrogen levels for egg maturation and ovulation.
Luteal phase: Sesame seeds and Sunflower seeds
The luteal phase starts from day 15 and goes on till the first day of your next period. 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds and 1 tablespoon of freshly ground sesame seeds daily is encouraged to promote the levels of progesterone required to prepare your body for pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, progesterone levels go down shedding the uterus lining thus marking the first day of periods.
What are the other benefits of Seed Cycling?
- Managing symptoms of endometriosis, thyroid, PMS
- Managing painful, irregular, too heavy and too light periods
- Lowering levels of fatigue and depression
- Reducing androgen levels to regulate facial hair growth
- Combating symptoms of acne
- Tackling symptoms of hot flashes and vaginal dryness in menopausal women
How do you incorporate Seed Cycling into your routine?
This is so cost-effective and super-simple to do!
Some of my favorite ways to incorporate these seeds are as follows:
- Add to your daily smoothie or smoothie bowls
- Have them with a small bowl of yogurt
- Mixed into your oatmeal
- Consume them fresh with a glass of water
- Sprinkle them on top of your salads
- Add them to your toasts like avocado or nut butters
- Mix them with your protein balls or energy bars
These are all great ways for several reasons. Not only you will be able to get the powerful fertility benefits but also you will be able to incorporate healthy fruits into your diet such as spinach, blueberries, nut butters, collagen, and many more – the possibilities are endless!
Best Practices You May Consider
Ready to start incorporating seed cycling into your routine? Here are some simple guidelines to follow to ensure effective seed cycling.
- Purchase raw organic seeds when possible for optimal nutritional value.
- Store seeds in the refrigerator or freezer to avoid the oxidation that can occur from sunlight or heat exposure.
- Freshly grind your seeds before consuming.
It works best when the seeds are fresh ground and raw, but if you’re struggling with grinding fresh daily, then grinding a week’s worth and storing it in the freezer will also work too. This is how I did it!
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Should you start trying Seed Cycling?
Nowadays, our bodies are becoming more and more overwhelmed with harmful substances and factors that disrupt the delicate balance of our cyclical hormones. Through seed cycling, we can better support our nutrition and optimal hormone levels and reduce the symptoms related to hormonal imbalance.
However, if you already have a lot on your plate to think about, whether you’re struggling with fertility, suffering from PCOS symptoms, or irregular periods, then you would already have enough to stress in your life. Remembering when to eat which seed combos could add an unnecessary, unsubstantiated task to add to your already-full plate.
But, if trying seed cycling helps you personally eat more nutrient-dense seeds, then, go for it!
A Word From The Author
I hope this gave you a great idea of seed cycling and if it is right for you to try! But remember, seed cycling is not a replacement for medical advice given to you by your doctor nor is it a quick fix. This is just to help you learn your options related to improving your fertility and overall health.
Make sure to keep your doctor in the loop if you are planning to try it out. Most importantly, always talk to your OB-GYN about any concerns related to your period, fertility, or overall health and what solutions might work best for you. It all comes down to following a lifestyle that caters to your specific needs and addresses the root cause.
Sharing you my Smoothie Recipe for Seed Cycling:
Ingredients:
- 250 ml of Fresh Milk (Full Cream or Low Fat, both works fine)
- Crunchy Muesli
- 1 Tbsp of Fresh yogurt
- 2 Tbsp of grinded seeds based on my Seed Cycling schedule (Flax Seeds + Pumpkin Seeds)
- 1 Tsp of Honey (or less if too sweet)
- 6 pcs of Frozen Strawberry (you may also use other fruits such as Blackberry, Sweet Melon, Watermelon, Mango, etc)
First, starting adding the liquids or soft ingredients such as milk and yogurt. Second, add the frozen and other hard ingredients, such as frozen strawberry or any other fruits, ice, muesli, and grinded seeds. Third, add sweetener such as honey or sugar. If you’re making a green smoothie with leafy greens, you can put them in before or after the ice.
Then, blend it until the mixture becomes smooth to drink!
Combining smoothie ingredients in the wrong order can cause frozen fruit and ice to get caught in the blender’s blades. Too many frozen ingredients are another reason the blender might be stalling; use a mix of fresh and frozen fruit to ensure a smoother blend.
Here’s how I made my first smoothie, though I should have put the soft ingredients first before the hard ones. Lesson learned. 🙂
Resources:
1. Can Seed Cycling Balance Hormones and Ease Menopause Symptoms?
2. Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance
My First ‘After-Pill’ Pregnancy at 5 weeks
Best Foods You Should Eat During This Quarantine Period
17 Things We Can Do To Remain Healthy During This Quarantine Period
14 Habits To Maintain Health Hair All Year Round
Benefits of Having a Humidifier at Home
I always add seeds to my weekly smoothie. There’s so many health benefits. I highly recommend it too
This is so interesting and I have heard this before. There are so many amazing benefits to seeds. I should definitely try seed cycling. Thank you!
Christine
I’ve never heard of this, but it makes so much sense! I was amazed how much I learned about the timing of my cycle in the process of trying to get pregnant, and anything that helps balance hormones would be welcome any time.
I have never heard of seed cycling before! This is so fascinating!
Oh, wow! I had no idea that this was even a thing. I know I have to try it, though. Maybe it will help me.
Food is so powerful. This is a perfect example of how we can use it to help ourselves stay healthy. Thanks for this!
I’m not a girl but even i find this extremely fascinating. First time I’ve heard of this and I can’t wait to tell my girlfriends who all seem to have problems with their periods!
This is perfect. I have these seeds all the time but I didnt realize even more benefits having it. Thank you.
I had no idea this was a thing. My periods have been irregular all my life, it’s become something I just ‘got used to’. Though seeds can be expensive here in France, this might be a good idea to try.
Seed cycling is a new concept for me but this post came really handy when I am experienced irregular menstrual cycle. Will try following this.
This was such an informative article! I’ve never heard of seed cycling but I’m willing to try anything to help with that time of the month! Especially if it’s organic. I’ll try to purchase some raw seeds today when i go to Whole Foods!
Thank you so, so much for this. Best guide I’ve read on this!
Very interesting! I’ve never heard of this before but it would be neat to give it a try.
So many benefits here. Im am more than interested in combating symptoms of acne. It’s been my struggle for a long time