What Is Seed Cycling?

Seed cycling is a technique that uses intake of seeds to help your body naturally re-balance its hormone levels: specifically Estrogen and Progesterone.

Estrogen and progesterone are two of the key hormones that help regulate your menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels rise during the first half of the cycle, whereas progesterone levels rise (while estrogen levels slowly decline) during the second half of your cycle. An imbalance between estrogen and progesterone throughout this cycle, can contribute to emotional and physical PMS symptoms, menstrual cramps, acne, short luteal phases, anovulation and irregular cycles to name a few. 

What do seeds have to do with all this? The concept is fairly simple: The seed hulls contain lignans, which are chemicals that help bind up excess hormones, while the seed oils contain essential fatty acids that provide the building blocks for making hormones.

How To Do Seed Cycling

Allow 3-4 menstrual cycles (or months) to see results.

If your menstrual cycle is regular, meaning it is around 28 days consistently from first day of bleeding to next first day of bleeding, then the seed cycling should be followed according to your cycle.

If your cycle is irregular or absent, then follow the seed cycling protocol according to the moon cycle. For instance, you would start with Phase 1 of the protocol on the first day of the new moon and begin phase 2 of the protocol approximately 14 days later at full moon.

To check where the moon cycle is at in your area, click here.

Day 1 – Day 14: FOLLICULAR PHASE  (new moon to full moon)

During this phase, you need more estrogen in order to build up your uterine lining. These seeds boost and modulate estrogen levels.

Every day take:

• 1 Tbsp of organic, raw and ground FLAX seeds

• 1 Tbsp of organic, raw and ground PUMPKIN seeds

Day 15 – Day 28: LUTEAL PHASE (full moon to new moon)

During this phase, the corpus luteum (what is left behind after the egg ruptures) begins to release progesterone, which helps thicken the uterine lining. These seeds boost your progesterone production.

Every day take:

• 1 Tablespoon of organic, raw and ground SESAME seeds

• 1 Tablespoon of organic, raw and ground SUNFLOWER seeds

How To Prepare The Seeds

It is best to purchase the whole seeds – raw, organic and unhulled – and use a coffee grinder (or Nutribullet) to grind them.

Only prepare a 2 day supply at a time as the ground seeds are susceptible to oxidation and can go rancid. Store the ground seeds in an airtight container or jar and keep in the refrigerator to maintain maximum freshness.

How To Consume The Seeds

The easiest way to eat them is in smoothies, salads, soups, sprinkled on oatmeal and added to vegetables or grains. Or you could just eat them on their own.

Where To Get The Seeds

If you are in Canada, you may buy the raw seeds at bulk barn or buy a pre-ground seed cycling kit online here. This kit contains everything you need for either 1, 2 or 3 months of seed cycling.

Complete Pre-Ground Seed Cycling Kit

If you do not have a food processor or grinder, you can purchase one here.

If you suspect you may have hormone imbalances and would like to work with me to figure out what is happening in more detail, I encourage you to book in a free 15 minute consultation with me or schedule an initial visit.

To book an appointment with me:

-Dr Diana Semjonov, ND