Seed cycling is a therapy that uses nutrition to support the body's production, detoxification, and metabolism of hormones in order to balance hormones naturally. Different seeds are used during different times of a women's cycle to support balance throughout the body. You know those painful cramps, PMS, headaches, and little pimples that pop up during different times of the month? What if you could manage those symptoms just with nutrition? See below for further explanation.
If you are experiencing irregular periods, painful periods, PMS, heavy flow, menopause symptoms, symptoms of PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids, and balancing hormones post pill, seed cycling can be beneficial.
Day 1-14 = 1 tbsp ground flax seeds and 1 tbsp ground pumpkin seeds
Day 15-28 = 1 tbsp ground sunflower seeds and 1 tbsp ground sesame seeds
Day 1-14 is the first half of the menstrual cycle, which is when there is more estrogen in the body. The combination of flax and pumpkin seeds during this first half of the cycle help to detox any excess estrogen while preparing the body for the second half of the cycle when adequate progesterone is produced. Flax seeds are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans, a phytoestrogen that stops your body from producing excess estrogen. Pumpkin seeds are high in Omega 6 fatty acids and zinc, which is crucial for reproduction and healthy immune function.
Day 15-28 is the second half of the menstrual cycle, which is progesterone dominant. Combining sesame and sunflower seeds during this phase of the cycle promotes progesterone production. Sesame seeds are high in Omega 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E, which is essential for fertility. Sunflower seeds are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans, which are anti-estrogenic.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance:
*breast tenderness
*mood swings
*hair loss
*weight gain (particularly around the midsection)
*fibroids
*endometriosis
*ovarian cysts
*water retention
*PMS
Symptoms of low progesterone:
*short cycles
*menstrual cramping
*mid cycle spotting
*anxiety
*insomnia
How Seed Cycling Works:
On the first day of your cycle up until day 14, eat 1 tbsp each of ground raw flax and pumpkin seeds. You can add these to your favorite smoothies, salads, yogurt, chia pudding, overnight oats, soups, etc.
On day 15 until day 28/30, eat 1 tbsp each of ground raw sesame and sunflower seeds. Add to your favorite smoothies, salads, yogurt bowls, chia pudding, overnight oats, soups, etc.
Seed cycling is not a magic fix to any of these issues alone. A healthy diet and lifestyle is important in order to see any improvement in symptoms. Always talk with your doctor first before trying anything new.