I’m sure you’ve seen it all over Tiktok and Instagram, but how exactly does it work, and who should be doing it? Let me break it down for you.
What is Seed Cycling: Seed cycling is when we consume different types of seeds during different phases of our menstrual cycle to help support natural hormone fluctuations, nutritional needs, and help ease common cyclical symptoms. The ground seeds are believed to support the dominant hormones, estrogen and progesterone, during your cycle’s follicular and luteal phases.

Before we go any further, Menstrual cycle 101

Follicular Phase: Day 1-Day 14 

• Day 1 is the first day you see blood. Your hormones are lowest at this point which causes the body to shed the endometrial lining. This is when your period starts. 
•  Around day 2-3 the ovaries begin producing estrogen, and around day 8 your estrogen levels are heightened. 
•  Around day 9 and 10, we start to feel a little more frisky due to an increase in testosterone. This usually happens 5ish days before ovulation.
• Around days 12-14, Estrogen really ramps up and triggers ovulation. *Side Note, ovulation happens at different times in the cycle for some women, which is completely normal.

During this Phase, Estrogen is the hormone of focus.

Luteal Phase: Day 15-28 (Roughly 2 weeks after ovulation)

• A 28-day cycle is a textbook term which isn’t perfect. Anywhere between 25-31 days is average. 
•  This phase starts after ovulation and when progesterone comes into play. Estrogen is still present, but progesterone takes center stage. *Side note, you must ovulate to produce progesterone.
•  Progesterone peaks around 5 -7 days after ovulation. After this point, if sperm don’t find an egg, hormones drop to their lowest point, and the cycle starts again. 

During this phase, Progesterone is the hormone of focus. 

How Does Seed Cycling Work?

If you are still menstruating and your cycles are regular (between 25-31 days)

Day 1-14 We support estrogen by eating Pumpkin Seeds and/or Flax Seeds. 1-2 tbsp per day. Mixing these in with a smoothie or top on a salad is a great way to get them in. You can also supplement with Flax Oil.

Day 15 until you bleed again, we support progesterone by eating Sunflower seeds and/or Sesame Seeds. 1-2 tbsp per day. The best way to get these in is to have them as a snack or top on a salad. You can also supplement with Evening Primrose Oil.

*Seed cycling does not work if you are one the hormonal birth control pill.

If you have a very irregular cycle or are in your perimenopause or menopause season you can still seed cycle, you will just follow the moon phases.

New Moon to Full moon you eat the Flax and Pumpkin

Full Moon to New Moon you eat the Sunflower or Sesame. 

Best Advice for Seed Cycling

• Download a cycle tracking app like “P Tracker” and start tracking your cycles. Your cycle can actually tell you quite a bit about your health and tracking is a good practice. 
• Put reminders in your phone when you need to switch up the seeds. After day 1 of your cycle count to day 15 and set an alarm on your phone for that day.

Benefits of Seed cycling

• May help reduce PMS
• A rich source of nutrients
• Helps with estrogen dominance
• Supports healthy follicles
• May reduce breast tenderness. 

Disclaimer

Although seed cycling can have positive effects on women’s hormones, there is no solid evidence that seed cycling alone will help resolve hormonal concerns. Addressing diet and lifestyle are still very important when it comes to hormone balance. 

Always check with your doctor before starting any new health practice. This is not medical advice. This is not meant to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose. This is for educational purposes only.