Seed cycling is the nutritional practice of consuming specific seeds at different times of the menstrual cycle. It works by delivering the right hormone-supportive nutrients at the right time. This leverages natural food-based compounds to gently support hormone balance.
Female Sex Hormones
As you can see female hormones change throughout the month. There are specific nutrients in the seeds that can help regulate levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone to help reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalance like PMS, cramps and mood swings.
Flaxseeds (follicular phase)
Pumpkin Seeds (follicular phase)
Sunflower Seeds (luteal phase)
Sesame Seeds (luteal phase)
Key Nutrients:
Lignans (phytoestrogens), omega-3s, fiber.
- Flaxseed lignans act as phytoestrogens. Basically, if estrogen is too low, they stimulate estrogen production; if estrogen is too high, they help to block estrogen and eliminate excess estrogen.
Key Nutritients:
Zinc, magnesium, omega-3s, vitamin E.
- Pumpkin seeds provide zinc, which supports follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production and may help promote healthy ovulation.
Key Nutrients:
Selenium, vitamin E, B vitamins, omega-6s.
Sunflower seeds are rich in selenium and vitamin E, both of which are antioxidants that support the corpus luteum (the structure that secretes progesterone).
Key Nutrients:
Lignans, calcium, zinc, omega-6s.
- Sesame lignans and vitamin E help promote and maintain healthy levels of progesterone.
Rotate seed blends
- The follicular phase is estrogen-dominant - flax and pumpkin (FOL blend) support healthy estrogen metabolism and ovulation.
- The luteal phase is progesterone-dominant - sesame and sunflower (LUT blend) help sustain progesterone and reduce inflammation.
By syncing seed intake with these key cycle phases, you're:
- Encouraging estrogen detoxification when needed.
- Supporting ovulation and progesterone production.
- Minimizing estrogen dominance and PMS symptoms.
Hormone imbalance red flags 🚩
Signs of hormonal imbalance can include:
- Extremely painful periods
- Weight gain (even if with diet & exercise)
- Heavy periods
- Periods longer than 7 days
- Irregular cycles (over 37 days)
- Severe mood changes and PMS
- Being bloated all the time
- Sleeping terribly
- Adult acne
- Amenhorhea
- Facial hair
- Trouble getting pregnant
- Anovulatory cycles
- Anxiety/depression
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Thinning hair / hair falling out
These are all signals from the body that your hormones need to be addressed.
Seed cycle with the moon
If you don't have a period, you can seed cycle with the moon phases. Take FOL blend from the new moon until the full moon, then switch to LUT blend and take until the new moon.
Seed cycling for peri-menopause and menopause. Read here.
The Science
The latest science 2023
We are so excited to see more emerging scientific research, data AND clinical trails for seed cycling. The most recent clinical trial was done in March 2023 on the Effectiveness of combined seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, flaxseed): As adjacent therapy to treat polycystic ovary syndrome in females. Read the full publication here
Estrogen detoxification ¤
We need to excrete left over estrogen to avoid reabsorption of toxic used hormones. The lignan present in flaxseed (7-hydroxymatarezinol) and the plant sterol (beta-sitosterol) found in pumpkin seed binds to excess estrogen and helps to eliminated it during the follicular phase.
Lignans also have estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties that help to regulate estrogen levels.
Boosted levels of essential fats º
Higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids lower bad cholesterol and improve levels of good cholesterol. We need cholesterol to produce all s*x hormones.
They can also improve insulin levels and keep blood sugar under control. Not to mention reducing inflammation in the body and skin, whilst promoting mood.
Increased Progesterone production
Zinc and selenium found in sesame seeds and sunflower seeds help to increase the production of progesterone in the luteal phase.
Zinc can increase the number of binding sites on a progesterone receptor in order to increase progesterone naturally. Selenium helps to maintain the function of the corpus luteum in the luteal phase.
View all scientific references here.
We always recommend to consult with a health care professional before trying something new. Our Naturopath offers a mini-consult to give you expert advice for your situation. Learn more here.