I recently went to see a naturopath as I was fairly confident that I was estrogen dominant and was having issues with my thyroid due to various symptoms and annoying lack of energy. Sure enough, she confirmed my suspicions and started me on a program that includes various supplements to get my thyroid functioning properly as well as get my hormones back in check .
What intrigued me about my new program was that in addition to supplements, my naturopath is having me seed cycle to help balance my hormones naturally. I have never heard of seed cycling but it reminds me of cycling pueraria mirifica where pueraria mirifica and other supplements are taken during certain phases for your menstrual cycle.
In seed cycling, you add various seeds to your diet to support your body’s natural hormone production during the various phases of your menstrual cycle. The plan is to use seed cycling to gently nudge my body back in optimal hormone producing shape and get my menstrual cycle back on track. (my cycle was averaging 36 days, not the normal 28)
Here is what she prescribed for me:
Follicular Phase (Day 1 – 14)
- 1 tbsp Flax Seeds
- 1 tbsp Pumpkin Seeds
Luteal Phase (Day 15 – 28)
- 1 tbsp Sunflower Seeds
- 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
So on the first day of my period, I will start taking the seeds for follicular phase every day until day 15. We’re not sure if I ovulate on day 14 since my period is so out of wack but my naturopath said that we’re just going to assume I do. Plus, that’s what we want it to do eventually if it’s not already, so she said to go ahead and start on day 15 with the luteal phase seeds. From day 15 until the my period starts again, I take the luteal phase seeds then start the cycle of seeds again when my period starts.
The seeds should be taken once every day according to whatever phase you are in. I plan to add the seeds to my Boobie Power Smoothie that I make every morning but you can eat the seeds as is or add them to salads, yogurt, your own smoothie recipe, anything works.
The seeds should be raw, straight from shell – not salted, roasted, etc. I got my seeds raw and without shells from the bulk bins at Sprouts. They were fairly inexpensive. I think the pumpkin seeds were the priciest, if I remember correctly. Also, the seeds should be ground, if possible, especially the flax seeds. They sell flax seeds already ground but make sure you store them in the refrigerator so they don’t go bad. You can also add fish oil during follicular phase and evening primrose oil during luteal phase for a little boost.
Benefits of the Seeds
- Flax Seeds – contains lignans which block excess estrogen and help eliminate it from the body
- Pumpkin seeds – contain high levels of zinc which encourages progesterone production
- Sunflower Seeds – supports body’s natural progesterone production
- Sesame Seeds – contains low potency lignans compared to flaxseeds
These seeds are also a rich source of linoleic acid which aids in the balance of progesterone and estrogen.
Like natural breast enlargement, it’s going to take patience and consistency to see any results but I’m eager to see what happens. I think seed cycling would be a good addition to any NBE routine. Having your body naturally producing and balancing hormones optimally is always a good thing for NBE.
Have you ever tried seed cycling? Do you plan to add it to your NBE routine? Share in the comments below.