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I heard of seed cycling several years ago but have only been using seeds myself for the past few months. I suffer with PMS symptoms in the lead up to my period and really needed to get it under control so I took the plunge and decided to finally try it out for myself.
What is seed cycling?
Firstly – what is seed cycling? It's a natural approach to balancing hormones and supporting menstrual health by incorporating specific seeds into your diet during different phases of your menstrual cycle. It is claimed to balance hormones by regulating estrogen in the first half of your menstrual cycle and the hormone progesterone in the second half.
Phase 1: Follicular Phase (Days 1-14):
The follicular phase is the beginning of your menstrual cycle and this is when your body is preparing for ovulation. At this stage of your cycle you will want to incorporate one tablespoon of flaxseeds and one tablespoon of pumpkin seeds which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and zinc. These seeds aim to lay the foundation for hormonal balance.
Phase 2: Luteal Phase (Days 15-28):
As your body transitions into the luteal phase, it's time for a seed swap. Now you will incorporate one tablespoon of sesame seeds and one tablespoon of sunflower seeds into your diet which will provide you with vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B6, supporting your body as it gears up for menstruation.
How Does It Work?
The seeds are packed with nutrients that play a crucial role in hormone production and balance. Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin E help to keep estrogen and progesterone in check.
Making Seed Cycling a Daily Ritual:
Incorporating seed cycling into your routine doesn't need to be difficult. You can easily toss a spoonful of flaxseeds into your morning smoothie during the follicular phase or sprinkle some sesame seeds on your salad during the luteal phase – it really can be that simple! I personally like to have them in my porridge in the mornings. The key is consistency, so make it a part of your daily ritual.
If you don't have a menstrual cycle or have irregular cycles, you can sync the timings of the seeds with the moon, with day one of your cycle falling on the new moon.
I have already noticed a difference with my PMS symptoms so it's a thumbs up from me!
I buy my seeds from here biaseeds.co.uk
