Seed Cycling Explained
Seed cycling is a protocol used in natural systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Naturopathy to help support fertility and the menstrual cycle. The belief is that the natural compounds found in certain seed combinations can support the dominant hormone of each menstrual cycle phase. So far research is mostly anecdotal and scientific studies on a large scale is lacking.
The Cycle Phases
The menstrual cycle can be divided into two main phases; pre and post-ovulation. Before ovulation, the body is preparing to release an egg and after ovulation, the body is preparing to implant the egg into the uterus. An unfertilized egg triggers a period as the uterus lining, which is thickening to support implantation, sheds.
The pre-ovulation phase is known as the Follicular phase and the post-ovulation phase is known as the Luteal phase.
The Follicular Phase
The follicular phase starts on the first day of menstruation and ends with ovulation. During this time the follicles are stimulated into maturing, preparing to release an egg.
The first day of the Follicular phase aka your period (menstruation) is also the first day of your whole cycle. Most menstruating people will have a period for around 3 - 7 days.
The Follicular Phase is an estrogen-dominant phase.
Five days is an “average” period length. Even when our period stops we are still in the Follicular phase until ovulation happens.
The Luteal Phase
The release of an ovum (an egg) from the ovaries is called ovulation, this is a shorter window of the cycle ~3 days, and usually 14-16 days into the cycle. This indicates the second part of the menstrual cycle known as the Luteal phase.
After the release of the egg the hormone estrogen dips for a few days, then suddenly, along with progesterone begins to climb quite steadily. Right before our period, we have our stronger concentration of hormones than at any other time in the cycle, hence why some people will experience strong hormonal-related symptoms; tender breasts, mood changes, irritability, skin and hair changes, and tiredness to name a few.
The Luteal phase is a progesterone-dominant phase.
Our bleed (period) ends the Luteal phase usually after 14 days post-ovulation. This makes our cycle 28 days long on average. Cycle length will vary from person to person however most of us will rarely have the same length cycle every month as our hormones can be affected by many factors.
Though we don’t want to pathologize longer or shorter cycles for the sake of it, it is important to know what is considered average as especially long or short cycles can give us an indication of underlying health conditions. When our cycles vary greatly from the norm it is a sign to seek help from a menstrual health specialist.
Seed cycling benefits
Seeds are a great way to get essential nutrients, such as vitamins and omega fats. The seed cycling protocol consists of four particular seeds consumed in pairs during the two main phases of our cycle to support the dominant hormones of that phase.
How to start seed cycling
Flaxseed and pumpkin seeds are consumed during the Follicular phase to support estrogen production and sesame and sunflower seeds during the Luteal phase to support progesterone production. Seeds contain plenty of fiber which can help bind and remove toxins and excess hormones from the GI tract as well as regulate insulin. Improving fiber intake can also reduce estrogen levels in cycling women. This is helpful for women who experience strong PMS symptoms due to excessive estrogen.
Seed cycling with Bia
To keep things straightforward (and in the spirit of cycle consciousness) we named our two seed blends simply; The Follicular Blend and The Luteal Blend. You can even gift Bia!
Here’s a quick look at why the seeds in each blend can be great for our menstrual cycle:
Seed cycling for hormone balance
The Follicular Blend
Flax seeds contain lignans which are a type of phytoestrogen (a plant hormone) which is similar to the human hormone estrogen. The belief, though formal studies on seed cycling are lacking, is that phytoestrogens will help to stimulate the body's production of estrogen if needed. This may assist us with ovulation if we were previously lacking estrogen. Pumpkin and flax seeds are great sources of zinc, a nutrient necessary for ovulation by promoting follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone release. According to some studies zinc may also reduce menstrual cramps.
The Luteal Blend
Sesame seeds (high in zinc) and sunflower seeds (high in vitamin E) help with progesterone production during the luteal phase. Progesterone will thicken the uterus lining which is essential for implanting the ovum (conception). If we are not trying to conceive then it’s role is to also regulate our period. This is why people with PCOS, often with missing periods, try seed cycling. Sunflower seeds are also rich in selenium, which helps with liver detox of the hormones.
Why seed cycle with Bia?
Bia is a seed cycling subscription box delivered to you monthly along with two recipe cards and a cycle tracking card.
It’s convenient!
We want to make seed cycling as easy to incorporate into your bustling life as possible. Each Bia subscription contains enough (daily serving of 2 tablespoons) of the four main seeds for an average cycle length of 28 days". Have a longer cycle? No problem, start with one heaped tablespoon a day for now.
They’re body-friendly
As well as being delicious and great for our diets, Bia seeds are organic and sourced from a small supplier in the UK.
Loving to mama Earth
Being convenient doesn't have to cost the Earth. Bia packaging is compostable.
Supportive
We’ve created this free stuff page if you’d like more guidance on how to start seed cycling.
Use our easy-to-follow hormone-friendly recipes for creative ways to use your seed cycling kit.
Female-founded
Women and menstruating people should be at the front and center of the ever-growing menstrual care industry. Bia’s founder suffered from very painful periods and is determined to make cycle consciousness mainstream.
And let’s face it, supporting a small business makes us all feel good inside!
