You may be aware of the benefits of seed cycling, which encouraged you to follow it. Have you noticed any improvements? If your answer is no, you are not alone. Seed cycling is quite simple, but many women still make errors that may stop them from noticing changes in their hormonal health.
Understanding and correcting mistakes will help you save time and effort in the long run.
Not Knowing Your Cycle Phase
One common mistake is not understanding the phases of your menstrual cycle. There are two phases in which seed cycling works.- Follicular Phase (Days 1 to 14): Flax seeds and pumpkin seeds
- Luteal Phase (Day 15 to 28): Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds
What can you do?
Tracking your periods using a calendar or an app will help you correctly identify the phases. You can also use the moon cycle (New Moon for the follicular phase and Full Moon for the luteal phase) to track your periods if they are irregular. Use this as a guide until your body finds its rhythm.Eating Roasted or Salted Seeds
You may want to eat roasted or flavoured seeds instead of the raw seeds in their natural form. However, roasting seeds at high temperatures destroys their nutrient value, especially their healthy fats, which are essential for hormonal health.Additionally, the addition of salt and preservatives can lead to bloating or inflammation, ultimately defeating the purpose of this healing practise.
What can you do?
Always consume raw, unroasted and unsalted seeds. You can even grind them at home easily and store them in a refrigerator for up to weeks.Not Grinding the Seeds
Flax and sesame seeds are naturally very small in size. They pass through your digestive system easily when you eat them whole, making it difficult for your body to absorb their nutrients. What can you do?
Grind a few days' worth of seeds before eating by using a simple mixer or coffee grinder. You can keep this powder in an airtight jar in the fridge and use it in your meal. Inconsistent Usage
Seed cycling requires a long-term commitment to see the results. You may not notice any changes when you are inconsistent, such as stopping the cycle halfway due to a busy schedule or travel. You cannot skip eating the seeds on any day. Seed cycling typically requires approximately two to three months of consistent use to reduce bloating, alleviate PMS symptoms, and achieve regular menstrual cycles.
What can you do?
Include the ground seeds in a smoothie, porridge or salad every day. You can make it a habit and set reminders on your phone to stay on track. Expecting Instant Results
Hoping for overnight changes in your periods or hormonal health is setting yourself up for disappointment. Please remember that seed cycling takes time and gently supports hormonal balance, rather than making quick changes.Years or months of internal stress, poor diet and lifestyle choices cause a hormonal imbalance, so it is only natural to take time to correct it.
What can you do?
Give yourself at least eight to twelve weeks before dismissing its results. Focus on staying consistent and incorporating healthy habits into your routine.Ignoring Your Diet and Lifestyle
Your overall lifestyle and diet are equally important for maintaining your hormonal health. Although seeds are effective, they cannot function independently of their environment. Consuming junk food, poor sleep, and experiencing stress from work or life can reduce the effectiveness of seed cycling.What can you do?
Combine seed cycling with balanced and home-cooked meals, proper sleep, daily movement and relaxation practises. Not Understanding Why You're Doing It
Please do not start seed cycling under the influence of your friend or just because you read it online. You can lose motivation midway if you don't understand the importance of consuming certain seeds at a specific time in your cycle.What can you do?
Learn about seed cycling benefits. It supports oestrogen in the first half of your cycle (flax and pumpkin seeds) and progesterone in the second half (sesame and sunflower seeds).Seed cycling is a natural, safe, and gentle way to improve your hormonal health. However, you need to avoid the mistakes for it to work in your favour. Always use whole seeds in raw and natural form, stay consistent and track your cycle. These simple tips will help you get the maximum benefits from this natural practise.
You are likely to notice changes over time only if you stay consistent, track your cycle, and combine seed cycling with a healthy lifestyle.
FAQs on Common Mistakes People Make With Seed Cycling
- Can I do seed cycling if my periods are irregular or if I don't get them at all?
Follow the moon cycle if your periods are irregular. Start flax and pumpkin seeds on the new moon and switch to sesame and sunflower seeds on the full moon. - How much of each seed should I eat daily during seed cycling?
One tablespoon each of the two seeds is enough during that particular phase every day. For example, have 1 tbsp flaxseed + 1 tbsp pumpkin seed daily during the follicular phase. Switch to 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds daily during the luteal phase.