What Is Seed Cycling?

Seed cycling is a very simple practice that’s easy to implement and has a huge number of benefits. It’s often used to support fertility but can be beneficial in other ways, including for people who have been through menopause.

The Seed Cycling Pattern

The seed cycling system looks like this:

From days 1-14 of your menstrual cycle or the waxing moon cycle (new moon to full moon), incorporate 1-2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds and 1-2 tablespoons of ground pumpkin seeds into your daily diet.

From days 15-28 of your menstrual cycle or the waning moon cycle (full moon to new moon), incorporate 1-2 tablespoons of ground sunflower seeds and 1-2 tablespoons ground sesame seeds into your daily diet.

Seed Cycling Nutrients and Benefits

Flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds have nutrients that support the natural ebbs and flows of a menstrual cycle. If you are trying to regulate your cycle, seed cycling with the moon can help. If you’re menopausal or postmenopausal, the rotation can support the shift in your hormones and help you feel more balanced.

Flax seeds contain lignans, which bind to excess estrogen, preventing imbalance. They are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help regulate inflammation, mood balance, and blood pressure. Research has shown they can also improve ovulation and reduce PMS symptoms.

Pumpkin seeds are also rich in omega-3’s, and the zinc they contain supports progesterone production, which is helpful during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. They also have strong antioxidant and anti-viral qualities, which can help you fight off disease.

Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, which can boost progesterone and selenium, which is an antioxidant that can support the liver in detoxing from excess estrogen; this is especially helpful during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Sesame seeds contain both zinc and lignans and have been shown to be especially helpful for post-menopausal women, as they can support sex hormones, blood lipids, and antioxidants.

Our hormones affect our skin, digestion, and hair, and how we lose or gain weight. The seeds are so rich in nutrients in general that incorporating these seeds into a morning routine can make up for other dietary imbalances or inconsistencies, ensuring that we get these nutrients every day.

All these seeds are also very high in fiber, which has a huge number of benefits beyond supporting healthy digestion. Fiber is food for a healthy microbiome, which has far-reaching effects on the body. The seeds also provide a fair amount of protein, and fiber and protein together are excellent for balancing blood sugar and keeping moods stable.

Seed cycling also requires that we pay a little bit of attention to our menstrual cycles and/or the moon cycles. That can help us stay aware of the ebbs and flows of our energies. Doing this small act of self-care can help keep us accountable to caring for our bodies and reminding ourselves that we matter, and that our health and wellness are important. Those are self-esteem nutrients, and that matters too!

Incorporating Seed Cycling Into Your Life

Ideally, your seeds should be raw and ground. Flax seeds and sesame seeds are much better absorbed when they are ground, and you can buy pre-ground flax at most grocery stores. You can grind your seeds yourself using a coffee or spice grinder. If that’s not feasible, the whole seeds are still beneficial, but just don’t forget to chew! All these seeds (in their raw form) have a generally mild flavor, so they are pretty easy to add to almost any food, whether sweet or savory. I find a tablespoon of each seed in the morning covers me for the day, makes me feel fuller for longer, and helps my skin and hair look healthier and stronger.

The seeds can simply be added to any of these:

• Smoothies

• Cereal

• Yogurt and fruit

• Salads

• Dressings and sauces

• Meatballs, fritters, or casseroles

If you’re not used to having so much fiber in your diet, you may want to start with a smaller amount and build it up over time. You might feel bloated for the first week or so as your system gets used to the new input of fiber. Try it for three months and see if you notice a difference in your cycle, digestion, mood balance, skin, or hair.

Read our guide to menstruating with the moon.