To support a healthy balance of estrogen and progesterone levels, seed cycling is the practice of consuming particular seeds during the two main phases of your menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal). It is a mild and all-natural, method for easing PMS symptoms, increasing fertility, and stimulating menstruation if it is absent (amenorrhea), among other problems brought on by hormonal imbalances. Any stage of a woman's life, including post menopause, can benefit from seed cycling. However, it's especially helpful when quitting hormonal birth control or having trouble with signs of post-birth control syndrome, including acne, irregular or skipped periods, or PMS. HORMONE BALANCE SEED CYCLING: HOW TO BEGIN? The cycling of seeds is really easy. During the follicular phase of your cycle, you add 1-2 tbsp of pumpkin and flax seeds each day to your diet. Sunflower and sesame seeds are added daily during the luteal phase after ovulation. YOUR CYCLE'S FIRST THREE WEEKS (OR FROM MENSTRUATION TO OVULATION) one to two teaspoons of ground flax seeds two to three tablespoons of ground pumpkin seeds YOUR CYCLE'S DAYS 15–28 (OR FROM OVULATION TO MENSTRUATION) Sunflower seeds, ground, 1 to 2 teaspoons 1 to 2 teaspoons of sesame seeds, ground. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR PERIOD IS IRREGULAR OR MISSING (AMENORRHEA)? Even if your periods are irregular or missing, you can still use seed cycling. You'll rotate according to the phases of the moon as a general rule, rather than the phases of your cycle. DIRECTIVES FOR MOON PHASE SEED CYCLING - Eat flax and pumpkin seeds from days one through fourteen (new moon to full moon). Eat sesame and sunflower seeds from days 15 to 28 (full moon to new moon). The moon is strong, despite how strange or even a little woo-woo it may sound. In addition to influencing our center of gravity and menstrual cycles, it also regulates ocean waves. Have you ever observed that the average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, just like the moon? There is no chance for this. When balanced, many women's cycles naturally correspond to the moon's phases. How Does SEED CYCLING support HORMONE BALANCE? There isn't much evidence to suggest that seed cycling and better hormonal balance in women are directly related. Simply put, no studies on this practice have been done. However, that doesn't mean it still functions. Given the limitations of current research and the paucity of studies on certain topics, it is crucial to maintain an open mind while considering nutrition and natural healing methods.
Although research has not explicitly connected the cycling of seeds to hormone balance, there are significant correlations that suggest certain nutritional elements in flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds may promote your body's normal hormonal cycle.
FOLLICULAR PHASE
The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is when our estrogen levels are at their best. Pumpkin seeds and flax seeds aid by enhancing those levels while reducing excess estrogen. LUTEAL PHASE Sesame and sunflower seeds aid in increasing progesterone production throughout the luteal phase of your cycle. In addition to containing lignan, which help inhibit excess estrogen while progesterone levels rise, sesame seeds are a great source of zinc, which helps increase progesterone production. Vitamin E and selenium are abundant in sunflower seeds. While selenium helps the liver get rid of extra estrogen, vitamin E can increase progesterone production. Some creative ways to use your seed cycling mix include: Add to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, or chia seed pudding. Sprinkle on toast, salads, soups, or bowls to add flavor. Pumpkin with flax seed pesto made-at-home seed butter Make homemade granola using sesame and sesame seeds or pumpkin and flax. This seed cycling recipe includes bites at each stage of your cycle. Remember that seed cycling is not a panacea. Stress, a lack of dietary fat and protein, insufficient sleep, digestive problems, blood sugar abnormalities, and environmental pollutants (such as cleaning and cosmetic products) can all lead to hormonal imbalances. Without putting an emphasis on getting enough sleep, controlling your stress, eating well, staying hydrated, and minimizing your exposure to hormone-disrupting pollutants, you can't expect seed cycling to give you the boost you need.
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