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Do you suffer with unpleasant hormonal symptoms such as painful breasts, cramps, mood swings, migraines, back ache, low energy or uterine fibroids? Do you have irregular periods? Have your periods completely stopped without any reason? If you answered yes to any of these then you may have a hormonal imbalance, more specifically, an imbalance between the two main female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
A normal cycle is about 28 days long and if no fertilization has occurred, the uterine lining is shed by the body during your period. Estrogen levels increase during the first part of the cycle and are lower during the second part of the cycle when the progesterone levels rise. If these hormones are out of balance this may contribute to symptoms typically known as PMS. In more severe cases periods may be very irregular or stop altogether. Hormone imbalances can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress, environment pollutants, certain foods, factory farmed meat and medications to name a few.
Seed cycling is a natural and inexpensive way to bring your hormones back into balance, regulate your period and hopefully get rid of any unpleasant symptoms. It is also very useful for those who are having trouble getting pregnant.
Seed cycling works because it provides the body with essential fatty acids, minerals and lignans. Lignans help to bind to any excess hormones and “mop” them up. The essential fatty acids are important for encouraging proper hormone production in the body.
Since different seeds contain different fatty acids and minerals, seed cycling involves alternating a total of four types of seeds during two different times of the month.
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From day 1 (the day your period starts) to day 14 of your cycle it is the follicular phase. During this phase you will take seeds that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. So, each day you will consume 1 tablespoon or raw, ground up flax seeds and 1 tablespoon of raw, ground up pumpkin seeds.
From day 15 to day 28 is the Luteal phase and the time during which ovulation occurs. During this phase you will take seeds that are rich in omega 6 fatty acids. So, each day you will consume 1 tablespoon or raw, ground up sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of raw, ground up sunflower seeds.
The seeds can be added to salads, soups, smoothies or even taken in a glass of water, but make sure they are fresh and ground up.
From those who do not currently have a period, you want to begin day 1 of seed cycling on a new moon so that day 15 will coincide with a full moon. Following the phases of the moon will encourage hormonal balance.
It may take some time for seed cycling to improve your symptoms or being back your period, but do not lose heart and keep it up for 3-6 months. Keeping a diary of your cycle may help you to notice improvements.
