Seed cycling is a gentle method of balancing hormones during the two phases of your monthly cycle using nutrients found in seeds. The seeds used for seed including include: flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds.
Download our free seed cycling guide and get all of the details!
Chinese Medicine + Seeds
In Chinese Medicine, seeds represent our Essence (“Jing”) and deeply nourish the kidney yin and blood. These substances are the foundation of a women’s cycle and they are essential for reproduction and fertility.
A tiny seed is so powerful, in that it contains the entire potential and blueprint for what that little seed will become. For this reason, it resonates with the constitutional (“Yuan”) level of our own body, and therefore has an impact on our hormones, rhythms and cycles. In Chinese herbal medicine, seeds are often included in formulas when we need to supplement the Yin in cases of menopause, infertility, or menstrual irregularity.
THe hormones
Estrogen and progesterone are two essential hormones that help regulate your menstrual cycle.
Estrogen levels rise during the first half of the cycle, and progesterone levels rise (as estrogen levels decline) during the second half of your cycle.
The first half of your cycle is the FOLLICULAR PHASE and begins with the first day of your period (day one). The second half of your cycle is the LUTEAL PHASE and begins the day after ovulation (day 15).
A hormonal imbalance can contribute to irregular cycles, infertility, PMS, and acne, for example.
Using seeds, we can help to regulate hormone production in the body and hormone excretions from the body. Seed shells contain lignans, which help bind up excess hormones. Seed oils contain essential fatty acids that help make hormones. .
Benefits
In addition to reaping the health benefits of eating nutrient-dense seeds daily, seed cycling may help to:
ease the transition of coming off of birth control
alleviate PMS
treat painful or heavy periods
regulate an irregular cycle
stimulate menstruation if absent
boost fertility
heal from conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts
Bonus: eating seeds can increase dietary fiber and protein intake!
As always, we recommend speaking with your practitioner before beginning any new health regimen and to see if seed cycling is appropriate for you and your health concerns.
If you experience symptoms of PCOS, irregular bleeding, painful periods, infertility, or irregular periods, it’s worth getting checked out by your healthcare provider.
Those with allergies to the seeds involved in seed cycling—flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds- should avoid seed cycling.
