Seed Cycling Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take for seed cycling to work? ›

It typically takes a few cycles of the seed rotation to notice an effect. You should definitely notice a decrease in your symptoms after 3-4 months of seed cycling. This may seem like a long time, but just remember that your hormone imbalance didn't happen overnight.

Unfortunately, current research suggests that seed cycling won't do much to balance your hormones. However, seeds are a healthy part of a balanced diet, and they're rich in fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. Consider using them as a crunchy topping on soup or adding them to a tasty salad.

GRIND YOUR SEEDS

This helps your body digest them. That being said, if you aren't able to grind them, that's okay. Incorporating the seeds is better than not because they aren't ground. The only exception is flax seeds, which your body can't break down or absorb if left whole.

Start day 1 of seed cycling on your first day of bleeding. Consume 1 tbsp of ground flax seeds and 1 tbsp of ground pumpkin seeds every day for the next two weeks, until the luteal phase begins on day 15. Use flax and pumpkin seeds to help support estrogen levels and balance extra estrogen produced during this time.

Phase 1 of seed cycling is one tablespoon of raw, ground pumpkin seeds and one tablespoon of raw, ground flax seeds from day one of your period until the day before you ovulate. Phase 1 should be about two weeks for most people.

Overall, seed cycling is a gentle and safe habit to form. There are no major side effects and very little risks. Those with allergies to the seeds involved in seed cycling—flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds—should not implement this practice.

Seed cycling is a holistic method used to help balance female hormones like estrogen and progesterone during a menstrual cycle. It involves eating specific seeds during two main phases of your menstrual cycle to help promote a healthy balance of estrogen and progesterone.

Reduced inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of seeds can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to several health issues, including hormonal imbalances.

Lignans, which are the type of phytoestrogens in flaxseed, can change estrogen metabolism. In postmenopausal women, lignans can cause the body to produce less active forms of estrogen. This is believed to potentially reduce breast cancer risk.

Luteal phase: During the second half of your cycle, days 15 through 30, switch to progesterone-supporting seeds. Choose from sesame seeds or sunflower seeds. You could also use seed products such as tahini sauce or sunflower butter.

Does tahini increase estrogen? ›

You can sprinkle sesame seeds on your salads, stir-fries, soups, or desserts, or use sesame oil or tahini (sesame paste) for cooking or dressing. Eating sesame seeds on a regular basis has been found to increase estrogen activity in postmenopausal women.

The seeds used during seed cycling should be raw and ground. Knowing how to incorporate the seeds in a tasty way can be a source of difficulty if you're not used to preparing food with seeds. Snacking on whole seeds is easy, convenient, and delicious, but you can't snack on ground seeds.

Chia seeds are high in fiber and contain lignans to support healthy estrogen. Add them to smoothies, sprinkle them on a salad, or make chia seed pudding.

The idea behind seed cycling is that certain types of seeds, such as pumpkin, flax, and chia, can help regulate the levels of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones.

There was a recent study that came out too exhibiting the benefits of Seed Cycling for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which showed promising results including weight loss, ovarian cyst degeneration and improved hormone balance.

Plenty of anecdotal evidence abounds about seed cycling helping fertility issues, but the scientific evidence is lacking. However, there are a number of health benefits that can be realized by adding seeds to your diet that may or may not impact fertility issues.

It is simple, it's cheap and there are no problematic side effects: So-called Seed Cycling is a kind of natural hormone therapy that uses certain grains and seeds to help you achieve a regular cycle, less PMS symptoms, less fatigue or less hair loss.