Seed Cycling

Seed cycling is a natural way to regulate hormones and periods. It helps with amenorrhea (no period), relieves symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis. It improves thyroid function and also improves the levels of progesterone in the body.

• Regulates hormones

• Regulates periods

• Helps with amenorrhea (no period)

• Relieves symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis

• Possibly increases fertility

• Reduces cramps

• Eases menopause symptoms 

If you are looking for a natural way to deal with your hormone-related issues such as PCOS, missing periods, extreme menopausal symptoms, and irregular cycles, then seed cycling is for you. This method is free from the side-effects that you might experience with traditional medicine. 

What is seed cycling?

Seed cycling is the process of consuming a combination of flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds during different times of your menstrual cycle for better hormonal health.

The two phases of your menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle consists of the follicular phase (phase 1) and the luteal phase (phase 2). Day 1 of your period is the day when phase 1 begins and it lasts till you begin ovulation which is typically day 14. Then from day 15, phase 2 begins and lasts till your next period, day 28.  These phases can be adjusted according to the length of your cycle.

During Phase 1: Take one tablespoon each of ground flax and pumpkin seeds everyday

During Phase 2: Take one tablespoon of ground sesame and sunflower seeds everyday

How does it work

During phase 1, consuming a combination of flax and pumpkin seeds aid in the production of hormones. They bind and excrete excess estrogen and help in achieving a longer luteal phase, which means a longer window for ovulation. These also facilitate the production of progesterone. In phase 2, sesame and sunflower seeds work together to block excess estrogen and help detox the liver. It improves thyroid function and also improves the levels of progesterone in the body.

Benefits of seed cycling

Studies on specific seeds and their composition have revealed that these seeds contain beneficial lignans, zinc, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and many more nutrients required to keep a healthy and balanced hormone flow in your body.

Seed cycling has the potential to:

• Balance hormones
• Considerably reduce the symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis
• Reduce Acne
• Reduce the intensity of cramps and breast pain
• Regulate the menstrual cycle
• Help with missing periods
• Possibly help infertility
• Ease menopausal or peri-menopausal symptoms
• Help weight issues
• Reduce hormonal facial hair growth

People coming off of hormonal birth control and those looking for alternatives to medically prescribed hormonal medication or even people with regular cycles will find the practice of seed cycle very beneficial.

How to use

These seeds can be added to practically anything you eat but here are a few ideas of how to incorporate these into your diet. Consuming ground seeds everyday will ensure the proper absorption of nutrients. 

• Add it to your soup or salad
• Blend it into smoothies
• Mix into oatmeal or overnight oats
• Mix into pancake or waffle batter
• Sprinkle it over yogurt or a hummus dip