The information in this post is for general purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. This post may contain affiliate links.
Let me tell you a quick story about the experiences I had working with a patient. And what you can learn from it.
One in every five women I see in practice have painful periods, and their doctors don’t even know how to treat this condition naturally. I have treated every woman who has had painful periods, and violent hot flashes have been recommended drugs that wreak havoc on the hormones. Medication is necessary at times. When women consult with Chinese medicine, their whole world changes and they see the Light at the end of the tunnel.
If you’re approaching menopause, fluctuating hormone levels may be responsible for worsening PMS symptoms. Research shows that women who suffer from PMS earlier in life tend to have a rockier transition to menopause later in life. These hormonal changes can cause PMS to flare up more noticeably every month.
Certain types of seeds, such as pumpkin, flax, and chia, can help regulate the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones. Synchronizing your consumption of various seeds with your menstrual cycle can relieve hormone-related symptoms such as PMS, PCOS, irregular periods, hot flashes and increase your level of well-being. Seed cycling can improve fertility, according to Chinese food therapy. Seed cycling is using four types of seeds during different stages of the moon cycle. Each seed has a unique nutritional and therapeutic fatty acid profile at the most opportune time during one’s cycle. If you don’t think you are cycling, hold on right there. You are cycling, just not in the traditional way.
Let’s take a closer look at these seeds and their therapeutic properties.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds, known as nan gua zi in Chinese, is nourishing and moistening for the body. Normally, pumpkin seeds are formulated to expel parasites in TCM, they also positively impact breast milk supply and nourish energy and blood. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc and ideal for men who are seed cycling.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed or ya ma Zi nourishes dryness and strengthens the blood. Normally it’s used for constipation in Chinese medicine; it’s also ideal for the phase in a woman’s cycle that starts on the first day of menstruation and ends with ovulation. This hormone stimulates the ovary to produce around five to 20 follicles. Flaxseed contains a phytoestrogen compound called lignans. Lignans act like estrogen, and they have an anti-oxidant effect. Lignans are so powerful that they can affect environmental estrogens and endogenous estrogens, two types of estrogens that protect us from certain cancers.
in 1993 The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported in clinical trials, that there is a significant specific role for lignans in the relationship between diet and sex steroid action, and possibly between diet and the risk of breast and other hormonally dependent cancers. (W.R Phipps et. al) Effect of flaxseed ingestion on the menstrual cycle
Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds or as we would call them in TCM Xiang RI Kui zi are neutral and sweet seeds. They supportive of our life force energy and strengthen the blood. If you run cold during your cycle, these seeds warm cold in, and they to tonify our energy and restore our energy levels. Being able to tweak your seed ratios from a TCM perspective is a benefit of having an acupuncturist and herbalist on your side. 😉
Sunflower seeds are high in selenium, which is great for hormone balance in women Like the zinc in the pumpkin seeds, zinc is great for men who like to try on seed cycling.
How do I seed cycle?
Chinese medicine says that we are made to be at peak fertility (ovulation) during the full moon when nights are brightest (so you can see your partner!) and low fertility (menstruation) at the new moon when nights are darkest. The follicular phase in those who cycle should begin on a new moon and the luteal phase begins on the full moon, a woman’s typical cycle is 28 days, which is just about the length of a full lunar cycle.
During the follicular phase, Day 1-14 cycle with 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed and one tablespoon of ground pumpkin seeds. Ground the flaxseed; the pumpkin seeds can be eaten whole; it’s ideal to consume both ground. Add them to yogurt, oatmeal on salads or soups. It’s also encouraged to take omega 3 to reduce inflammation and support reproductive health. Algae-based omega-3 is ideal for vegans.
1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon of ground sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon of sesame seeds
1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds
Chia Seeds
Chia is a “whole grain” food, naturally free of gluten. The tiny seeds are an incredible source of nutrition and are loaded with high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, and many other micronutrients. Aztec warriors have been known to survive on chia seeds alone during times of scarcity, and it also gave them high energy and endurance. Just one spoonful of chia sustains for 24 hours. Chia benefits include increased anti-inflammatory response throughout the body, healthy hair, skin and nails, healthy hair, skin, and nails, build stronger bones, and support the heart and digestive system. Did you know chia seeds is one of the 26 superfoods in Live Ultimate Elixirs?
The luteal phase starts right after ovulation. This is Day 15-28 of the cycle. The luteal phase typically starts on day 15. ( 15 days after mensuration). Estrogen levels start to rise to build up the uterine lining and to prepare for the menstrual cycle. If the estrogen rises too high, this is what causes painful periods. Progesterone keeps estrogen in check. Sesame seeds, which are a great source of zinc and selenium, block estrogen during this phase cycle with sesame seeds and sunflower seeds rich in vitamin E and support progesterone levels.
1 tablespoon of ground seasme seeds
1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds
Depending on how many protein balls you eat a day, you may not be getting the full recommended 2 Tbsp of Seed Cycling Mix, but some is better than none.
Bottom line: Putting your seeds in protein balls basically makes seed cycling feel like dessert
(REMINDER: By the end of this story you want your audience to feel: knowledgeable and confident enough to know how to incorporate seed cycling into your monthly cycle. )
So, what’s the moral / lesson of the story you want them to take away?
The thing I really want you to take away from this is You can balance and support your hormones by seed cycling. It can take time to see improvements, so stick with it for at least 2 to 3 months to allow your body to react. Hormones are affected by our environment, stress levels, sleep, toxins, activity levels, and the food we eat. Seed cycling is only one aspect of nutritional therapy that you can experience.
So what this means to you in your life is You can boost fertility and ease symptoms of menopause cycling seeds at different times of the month. Depending on the country you are traveling to, you can bring your seed cycling mixes with you to add to oats, salads, and such. My favorite way to seed cycle while traveling is to add the seed mixes to my Live Ultimate Elixir in an energy ball They’re delicious, provide plenty of protein and healthy fats. Live Ultimate Elixirs are balanced and provide a full spectrum of perfect nutrition. They contain over two dozen of the most nutrient rich superfoods and super greens on earth.
Medicine Introductory Course in Period Care
So here’s your next step as it relates to what you and I just shared: Investigate how to support and balance hormones as a regular practice and consider holistic medicine in addition to your existing health practices.
It’s important to care for yourself on your period. We do this to holistically ease menstrual-related symptoms and enhance vitality and longevity—Moon Medicine Introductory Course in Period Care. Your moon time is sacred. It holds the secrets to deep healing. It’s a time for cleansing. It’s an opportunity for your body to rest and shed what no longer serves. Hormonal harmony comes with properly caring for yourself during your period.
If you experience menstrual-related symptoms, more than likely, you are working against it. In this course, I will act as your guide to tap back into the rhythm of your moon time so that you can support the full cleansing on all levels; physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
Got Questions? Share them with me here in the comments. I like to know what’s working for your and what’s not working for you.
In love and Light
Check out these other related article
This was so insightful! When we hear about seed cycling but not from a TCM perspective. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank’s Vanessa for commenting on my post. Yes seed cycling is a simple practice we don’t see or hear about. For m a TCM Perspective, it makes a lot of sense.