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Let’s talk about seed cycling today. What is seed cycling, why would you do it, and how do you practice it? 

But first, let’s just get one thing out of the way. Yes, yes seed cycling is used to help women get pregnant, but no, no I’m not wanting to get pregnant.

What is Seed Cycling?

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Seed cycling is a method of using various seeds to support different phases of our monthly cycles to balance hormone levels, relieve PMS and perimenopause symptoms, stimulate menstruation if it’s absent (amenorrhea), increase fertility and support the body in healing more serious conditions like ovarian cysts, PCOS and endometriosis. (source)

Reasons to Practice Seed Cycling?

I personally wanted to try seed cycling to relieve PMS symptoms and to continue balancing my hormones, but here are the reasons why women in general engage in it:

1. Balance hormones
2. Boost fertility in order to achieve pregnancy
3. Resolve acne problems
4. Relieve PMS symptoms
5. Regain a lost period

Women in all stages of life are practicing seed cycling, not just those who wish to conceive.

How to Practice Seed Cycling

Graphic via Dr. Brighten.

The way it works is simple. Here are the following seeds you need during a cycle:

1. Flax Seeds
2. Pumpkin Seeds
3. Black Sesame Seeds
4. Sunflower Seeds

If you have a normal, 28-day cycle, you would practice it as such:

• Days 1 – 14 of your cycle: 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 1 Tbsp ground pumpkin seeds (By the way, this is my least favorite part of the cycle. Since I don’t love these two seeds like the other two, I created THIS recipe. Now I love it!)
• Days 15 – 28 of your cycle: 1 Tbsp ground sesame seeds + 1 Tbsp ground sunflower seeds

Not everyone has the “normal” 28-day cycle, so in that case, Dr. Brighton suggests,

If you do not have a cycle either because you are not menstruating or because you have entered peri-menopause, menopause and you are in post-menopause, seed rotation can still help.

If you are pre-menopausal and not cycling, start the seed cycle any time you like and do two weeks of each seed rotation, as shown in the below chart.

If you have already entered menopause, you can start applying seed rotation any time you like and keep each seed combination (like flax seed and pumpkin) for one to two weeks, then switch to the other combination (like sunflower and sesame seeds).

How I Personally Practice Seed Cycling

I have an almost completely normal cycle, so I’m on the day 1-14 or day 1-15 and then day 15-28 or day 16-30 rotation. Some things I do and ways I incorporate the seeds:

1. I bought a grinder. They say that this only works with ground vs. the whole seed. So I bought THIS small grinder on Amazon.
2. However, I’m not dogmatic about it. If I can’t grind them, I don’t. I just make sure to take them nearly every single day, one way or another.
3. Of course there are days I have forgotten to take them, but keeping track via my habits tracker in the 90-day gut healing journal helps (also so I always know what day I’m on).
    

4. I love infusing flax into my Turkey Meatloaf Muffins for an easy infusion.
5. As a standard, I have a huge breakfast daily that includes a ton of green beans, a protein of sorts, and then my 2 Tbsp of whatever seed is on rotation sprinkled on top. It’s the quickest, easiest way I have found to get them in every single day.
6. When I travel, I still seed cycle. The only difference is that usually they aren’t ground (except for the flax). I know how many days I’m going to be gone, measure the appropriate amount ahead of time and carry it all in a little baggie with a 1 Tbsp measure. Works like a charm.
7. The seeds are so good in rice bowls, too. 
8. And of course, seeds always naturally jive with smoothies.

My Personal Seed Cycling Results

So what benefits have I found from seed cycling?

Again, I’m not trying to get pregnant so that’s not an indicator for me. But for me personally, here are the benefits I have noticed:

1. Less hormonal acne

   Yes, I still get maybe a blemish or two, but nothing like before. Between the Spot Acne Treatment and this new practice, I’m good to go.

2. Barely any cramps

   I have been known to get awful pre and during-cycle cramps. I rarely get any cramps anymore. Maybe one day with mild cramps, but that’s it.

3. Perfect cycle

   My cycle is, every single month, “perfect” at 28-31 days.

I have been doing this all since April, 2018.

Seed Cycling

If you’re interested in learning more about seed cycling, here are some other great articles to check out:

1. Is Seed Cycling for You?
2. Seed Cycling for Better Hormonal Balance
3. Why You Should Seed Cycle for Glowing Hormone Health

Thoughts? What’s your experience with it?

Xox,
SKH