Seed Cycling: What’s It All About?
Throughout history, there have always been uses of food as medicine. At the baseline level - what we eat shapes our health - especially those of us with chronic illness. From simple recipe additions like turmeric for inflammation, or entire lifestyle choices like the Mediterranean Diet to reduce heart disease and diabetes; there are certainly ways to improve your ailments by routinely working in particular ingredients.
Enter the inherent condition of womanhood; menstrual cycles, ovulation, fertility, menopause, and in many cases, illnesses such as polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. Would you believe that the daily incorporation of seeds into your diet could improve adverse side effects of such? Let’s talk about seed cycling.
Seed cycling is the practice of eating specific seeds during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. Though it’s become more talked about over the last few years thanks to the news, influencers, and wellness brands, it’s a concept that’s been around for hundreds of years. The ancient practice claims to serve as a natural means of balancing a woman’s hormones throughout her menstrual cycle to improve fertility and reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis (St. Luke’s Health). According to Healthline:
The most common method instructs women to eat 1 tablespoon each of freshly ground flax and pumpkin seeds per day for the first 13–14 days of their menstrual cycle, which is known as the follicular phase.
During the second half of their cycle, which is known as the luteal phase, seed cyclers eat 1 tablespoon each of ground sunflower and sesame seeds per day until the first day of their next period when their cycle starts again.
One Hatch Kitchen member, food scientist Adriane Gless, has brought this solution to Richmond by way of her business Human Kind Foods. With monthly seed blend & seed bite subscription options, it’s never been easier to incorporate the natural remedy into your life. The 100% Woman Owned and Operated local business also partners with groups that support those in need, and donates 10% of their profits to fund their heroic efforts. Click here to learn more about period poverty and how Human Kind Foods works with Sylvia’s Sisters to help women & girls gain access to basic necessities for menstrual health.
The writer of this piece actually suffers from PCOS and Endometriosis, and has had great luck using these products.