Have your ever heard of Seed Cycling? And no, I didn’t forget the p, to make it speed cycling (spinning). I know I hadn’t until I started looking for natural ways to balance my hormones post pregnancy.
Well, let me tell you about seed cycling, its meaning, benefits and practice. Read until the end as I share a lot of amazing information about Seed Cycling is and how you can easily implement it in your life.
Seed cycling is a naturopathic remedy that is done to balance hormones by regulating the hormone estrogen in the first half of your menstrual cycle and then the hormone progesterone in the second half.
Seed cycling proposes to balance estrogen and progesterone through the actions of phytoestrogens, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E found in natural and raw seeds.
In addition, it is one of the best “foods as medicine tools” for relieving your menstrual period dilemmas, putting your menstrual cycle back on track, and especially balancing your hormones.
A woman’s menstrual cycle is split into two periods:
However, if you ovulate at a different time in your cycle then adjust the intake of seeds accordingly. Once you start becoming more in tune with your cycle, you’ll notice a difference in discharge: colour and texture. And if you listen closely to your body you may even feel twinges in your ovaries. If you’re not there yet, you can always use ovulation strips to help determine when your ovulation window is. Typically you only need to get that nitty gritty if you’re trying to get pregnant and having some difficulty or you’re trying to get your cycle back on track.
If your menstrual period comes regularly at a different timetable for example 26 days instead of 28 then you can adjust the seed intake accordingly.
Once you have eaten the seeds and it reaches your gut, the gut bacteria gets to work by converting the minerals and vitamins of the seeds to generate the necessary benefits to your body.
The best kinds of seeds used for seed cycling are fresh, raw, and ground namely:
Pumpkin seeds are high in Omega 6 fatty acids and zinc which are crucial for reproduction and healthy immune function.
Healthy flax seeds are known to be high in Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans, a phytoestrogen that stops your body from producing excess estrogen.
These sesame tasty seeds are high in Omega 6 fatty acids and Vitamin E which is essential for fertility.
Delicious Sunflower seeds are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and lignans which are anti-estrogenic.
The first phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle is estrogen dominant. The combination of flax and pumpkin seeds consumed in the first half of the cycle work to detox any excess estrogen in the body while preparing the body for sufficient progesterone production in the second phase of the cycle.
The second half of the cycle is supposed to be the progesterone dominant period. The combination of sesame and sunflower seeds eaten during the second half of the cycle will then work to promote progesterone production.
Progesterone is the hormone that is accountable for easing unwanted PMS symptoms like bloating, mood swings, and insomnia.
During the 1st day of your cycle up until ovulation approximately day 14 you should eat 1 tablespoon each of ground raw flax and pumpkin seeds, totaling 2 tablespoons daily. You don’t have to just eat them plain, you can easily add them to your smoothies, salads, porridge, oatmeal, grains, sprinkle it on toast, or any other food.
From day 15 to 28/30 consume 1 tablespoon each of ground raw sesame and sunflower seeds. Ensure you eat 2 tablespoons of the ground Sesame and Sunflower seeds daily.
Again, I highly recommend that you add it to your smoothie bowl, or sprinkle in your favourite salad.
Many seed cycling advocates stated that positive hormonal changes will be noticed after just a few months of cycling. No doubt, this natural remedy is incredibly helpful for women who have monthly menstrual problems.
As well as women with PCOS/ Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, endometriosis, infertility, dysmenorrhea, mood swings, on their menopausal stage.
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If you’re looking for more ways that you can balance your hormones or improve your health, comment below or contact me here.
xo, Zarine
©Life by Zarine – Zarine Bharda
