Hey ladies, many of you have heard of the benefits of seed cycling and all the rage around this amazing new strategy for boosting your fertility naturally and getting pregnant maybe after years of trying. In this article I am going to go in deep with why seed cycling works and why you should try it.
First, what is seed cycling? This is a functional medicine concept that incorporates seeds into your diet during different times of your cycle to either support your body in making the hormones you need or to detox hormones at the end of you cycle so they aren’t reintroduced into your body and cause issues.
Seed cycling couples very well with cycle optimizing because these two strategies provide your body with everything it needs for your hormone production and detox.
One of the main benefits I hear from my clients is seed cycling opens the flood gates to their “fertile mucus” and allows them to get pregnant naturally. Seed cycling also helps to eliminate PMS, painful periods, increases sex drive, irregular, absent, scant, or heavy periods, or perimenopause or menopause symptom relief. It also helps with infertility. It’s truly a miracle treatment.
How does it work?
Seed cycling works by giving your body certain nutrients at certain times in your cycle to make or detox hormones.
PHASE I – Day 1 of your period – Ovulation
Start phase 1 cycling on the first day of your period and continue for approximately 14 days, this is based on a 28 Day cycle. Not everyone ovulates on day 14. You may ovulate between days 13-21. If you’re practicing fertility awareness or you are one of my private clients you should know your day of ovulation so continue to consume the seeds until this day.
Ovulation can be detected by increase in basal temperature for about 3 days and by testing your cervical mucus. If you aren’t currently bleeding start cycling on the new moon until the full moon – two weeks. This phase of the protocol is great for reducing heavy periods, reducing or eliminating clots, and eliminating acne.
Phase I – Daily Protocol
- Consume 2-4 tbsp of equal parts Flax and Pumpkin seeds – freshly ground
- Consume 1000mg of DHA/EPA (Spirulina)
Flax Seeds
- Rich in lignans to bind and block excess estrogen production
- Rich in omega 3s
- Reduces inflammation
Pumpkin Seeds
- Rich in zinc, which prepares the body for progesterone secretion in the next phase
- Rich in omega 3s
Algae (Spirulina)
- Contains EPA and DHA
- Rich in lignans
Phase II – Luteal
Begin phase 2 of cycling after ovulation or (days 15-28 on a 28-day cycle) after two weeks to balance hormones. If you have an irregular cycle or if you suffer from amenorrhea, start on the full moon up until the dark moon- 14 days. This phase of the protocol is helpful to reduce spotting between cycles, reduce PMS symptoms, breast tenderness, clotting, and heavy flow. This phase also promotes progesterone production from the corpus luteum to help thicken the lining of the uterus for successful implantation. We want our lining to have a peanut butter consistency so the oocyte sticks and is comfortable.
Phase II Daily Protocol
- Consume 2-4 tbsp of equal parts Sesame seeds and Sunflower seeds – freshly ground
- Consume 1000mg of Evening Primrose Oil daily
Sesame Seeds
- Rich in lignans to modulate estrogen and progesterone levels
- Rich in omega 6 (which converts into GLA in the body)
- decreased a type of androgen and increased sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
Sunflower Seeds
- Rich in selenium, which supports liver function to prevent clogging from excess hormones, resulting in proper hormone excretion and detoxification
- Rich in omega 6 (which converts into GLA in the body)
- Increases progesterone production which is essential in the second half of your cycle.
Evening Primrose Oil
- Rich in gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and other important omega 6 fatty acids
- Boosts progesterone and reduces inflammation.
As you can see seeds are a great benefit to any hormonal issue whether that is infertility, period problems or perimenopause or menopause not to mention they are delicious and nutritious for overall health. Try incorporating seeds today. You won’t regret it.
You you need help implementing this protocol or if you are struggling with infertility and/or hormone imbalance, let’s chat. Visit www.calendly.com/kelahealthcoach.
Love and Health,
Coach Kela
