It was the summer of 2019 when my life and hormones were both all over the place.?
I was heavily stressed, my skin was breaking out and mood swings were as frequent as KRK¡¯s tweets (LOL). Of course, I knew there was an internal imbalance but I didn't know how to fix it. Like any other millennial, my first instinct was to turn to ¡®Dr Google¡¯ for health advice. Several suggestions popped up; some scared me out of my wits, some gave me hope.?
That¡¯s when I stumbled upon ¡®seed cycling,¡¯ a naturopath-recommended remedy for hormonal imbalance that has worked wonders for me (and apparently many other women across the world).?
Before we get down to the real experiment, it¡¯s important to understand how our period works. The two significant reproductive hormones in the female body, estrogen and progesterone see-saw through the month. Estrogen levels rise during the follicular phase (when you ovulate) and progesterone levels go up during the luteal phase (when you menstruate).
If these fluctuations go way out of control, you end up feeling miserable (this is your endocrine system crying for help). Severe cramps, frequent mood swings, bloating and cystic acne show up like uninvited guests and trust me, downing buckets of chocolate ice-cream curled up in bed won¡¯t make them leave (there, I said it). So what do we do? We find a better solution to tame our raging hormones.
After reading several articles (and some more) on this natural practice, and scrolling through a ton of posts on Instagram (5000+ posts under #seedcycling), I was convinced and all set to begin this experiment. The first step was to buy generous quantities of these four seeds - flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds that would at least last a month!
This is how seed cycling works - you eat flax seeds and pumpkin seeds during the first phase of your cycle, and sesame-sunflower combo in the second phase. While I always knew seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients, I was unaware that they contain a type of fibre called lignan, which when metabolised has a great impact on hormones - it either eliminates excess estrogen or boosts estrogen levels in your body. Fun fact: You have to consume 53 cups of kale to get the same amount of lignan found in two tablespoons of flaxseed (phew).
Some call it a ¡®miracle cure¡¯ for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), infertility, endometriosis, and also menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, among others.
Of course, I had to find out if the hype was real.
Aunt Flo had marked her arrival and that meant it was time for me to begin seed cycling! The follicular phase begins on the first day of your monthly cycle and continues for about 14 days. At this point in time, the estrogen levels are quite low and gradually increase to prepare for ovulation.
On day 1, I consumed a handful of flaxseed and pumpkin seeds with water - it was harder than I thought. The taste was a little odd, or my palate needed some retraining to eat healthily. All in all, my motivation was at its peak and I was in no mood to give up. The next day I stirred a handful into my breakfast smoothie, and boy, it tasted so much better!
I continued this until day 14, when it was time to swap the seeds. By this time, I observed that my face looked healthier than usual - my zits had reduced (some stubborn ones stayed), and I didn¡¯t feel as bloated. I obviously thought the seeds were doing their magic (but of course, it was too early to claim anything).
The next 14 days I sprinkled sunflower and sesame seeds over salads, blended it into my smoothie or added some to my cereal. The luteal phase begins on day 14 of your cycle - this is the time when estrogen levels drop after ovulation, and progesterone levels rise steadily.
After the second phase, my skin was hydrated and glowing (I kid you not), and my mood swings had also gone down. I had also made some tiny lifestyle changes, but I was sure the seeds had a big role to play in this transformation!
After having seen great results in the very first month, I continued seed cycling for another six months or so, and I think it was the best decision I made. I¡¯ve never had better skin and I no longer hate my period (ok, I¡¯m lying), but long gone are those days when severe cramps and other PMS symptoms would erupt every now and then. Today, I am much more in tune with my body, and realise how even the smallest steps can nurture your health in a big way!
Even though I was a little late to the party, I am glad I made it!
The writer is an independent journalist and writer.