How to Use Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance

Seed cycling has become a popular protocol to fix hormones that have gone haywire! Find out how to use seed cycling for hormone balance in this article.

What is Seed Cycling?

Seed cycling involves rotating or cycling certain types of seeds throughout your menstrual cycle. The seeds used are nutritionally dense and good for hormonal balancing. They include flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.

Supporters of this protocol say that it helps balance estrogen and progesterone levels. 

For many women, the ratio of estrogen and progesterone, the two main female hormones, is skewed. 

This causes hormonal irregularities which leads to a host of issues such as menstrual abnormalities, cystic acne, severe PMS, thyroid imbalances, low libido and chronic fatigue, among others. 

Hormonal imbalance also causes reproductive disorders like fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance – How it Works 

Scientific research shows that eating flaxseeds helps in lengthening the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which improves ovulation and reduces common PMS issues such as breast tenderness and cramps.

Studies also show that the high amounts of Vitamin E and omega 3 & 6 fatty acids found in the seeds used in seed cycling: pumpkin, sunflower, flaxseed and sesame seeds are essential for hormone production as well as follicle function. The follicles secrete hormones which influence stages of the menstrual cycle and release mature eggs for fertilization. 

The main hormone-balancing nutrient in these seeds is omega 3 fatty acids, which has been found to increase progesterone secretion and increase blood circulation to the uterus. 

Zinc is also another important nutrient found in pumpkin and sesame seeds. Research shows that it helps improve the formation of the corpus luteum, which is a hormone-secreting structure within the ovary which plays an key role in regulation of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. 

Selenium is a mineral present in sunflower seeds that aids in faster detoxification of female hormones in the liver.

These nutritional properties in the seeds used in seed cycling contribute heavily in supporting the natural hormonal cycle.

How to Use Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance 

Here’s how to use seed cycling for hormone balance:

Day 1 – 14 of our Menstrual Cycle

Take daily:

• 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds (where to get it)
• 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds (where to get it)

Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds are rich in omega 3 which gives an estrogen boost which increases proper circulation of blood in the uterus and brings on healthy menstruation.

Flaxseeds also contain lignans, special compounds that bind to excess estrogen lingering in the first phase of the cycle. This excess estrogen can lead to severe PMS, bad menstrual cramps and heavy flow so it’s important it’s flushed out of the body.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc which supports progesterone production just in time for the second half of your menstrual cycle.

Day 15-28 of your Menstrual Cycle 

Take daily:

• 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds (where to get it)
• 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds (where to get it)

Just like flaxseeds, sunflower seeds also contain lignans that stick to excess estrogen and remove it from the body through bowel movements. Sunflower seeds are rich in selenium which helps in the liver’s breakdown of excess female hormones that need to be eliminated from the body. 

Tips for Seed Cycling

• Taking roasted & ground seeds like ground flaxseeds or flaxseed powder increases the availability of the omega 3 fatty acids present in the seeds. So, it’s better to first roast then grind the seeds before consumption. 
• You can try making a seed butter out of these seeds. It’s tastier! 
• Enjoy consuming the seeds by adding them to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal and even salad dressings. 

How Long Does Seed Cycling Take to Balance Hormones?

Do seed cycling consistently. To see results, it can take three months or three menstrual cycles. You can take notes of how you feel and if your symptoms are improving in your period tracker app or a journal. 

Seed cycling can be done in combination with other natural ways of balancing hormones. Check this article on the blog for more information: How to Balance your Hormones in A Week – 12 Natural Ways

Thanks for reading this article ‘How to Use Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance.’