An education piece by Naturalist
Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance & Fertility
Seed cycling uses flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds to gently support hormone balance, fertility, and cycle health.
Seed cycling is a gentle, food-based practice designed to support the natural rhythm of your hormones. By rotating specific seeds during different phases of your menstrual cycle, you provide nutrients that may encourage balanced oestrogen and progesterone levels, support detoxification, and create a more harmonious monthly rhythm.
While seed cycling isn’t a quick fix, many women find it to be a nourishing, grounding ritual that can help with PMS, cycle irregularities, and fertility challenges, or simply as a way to connect more deeply with their body.
What Is Seed Cycling?
Seed cycling involves eating different seeds during the follicular and luteal phases of your cycle. Each seed offers specific nutrients, oils, and compounds that can gently influence hormone pathways.
Follicular phase (Day 1–14): Flaxseeds + Pumpkin seeds
Luteal phase (Day 15–28): Sunflower seeds + Sesame seeds
The idea is simple: support oestrogen in the first half of the cycle, then encourage progesterone in the second.
How It Works in the Follicular Phase
Flaxseeds are rich in lignans, which can help bind excess estrogen and promote healthy oestrogen metabolism in the liver.
Pumpkin seeds provide zinc, which plays a role in follicle development and ovulation.
Together, these seeds may support:
healthy cervical mucus (important for fertility)
balanced estrogen levels (reducing PMS, breast tenderness, or heavy periods)
a smoother transition into ovulation
How It Works in the Luteal Phase
Sesame seeds also contain lignans, which help modulate oestrogen while encouraging the shift toward progesterone.
Sunflower seeds are a source of selenium and vitamin E, antioxidants that support luteal health and progesterone production.
These nutrients may help with:
easing PMS, bloating, and mood swings
supporting implantation for those trying to conceive
improving cycle regularity over time
A Simple Way to Practice Seed Cycling
Follicular phase (Day 1–14):
1 tablespoon freshly ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon pumpkin seedsLuteal phase (Day 15–28):
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
Tips:
Grind seeds fresh if possible for better nutrient absorption.
Add to smoothies, oats, salads, or sprinkle on vegetables.
Stay consistent for 3–6 months to see gradual changes.
Who Can Benefit?
Seed cycling may be supportive for:
PMS symptoms (mood swings, cramps, bloating)
Irregular or missing cycles
Perimenopause (to ease hormone fluctuations)
Fertility support and preparing the body for conception
General hormone health and cycle awareness
Final Thoughts
Seed cycling is not a cure-all, but it’s a safe, food-based way to encourage hormone balance while reconnecting with the rhythm of your cycle. As with any natural approach, consistency and patience are key, most women notice changes after a few months, not overnight.
For deeper hormonal imbalances, it’s worth combining seed cycling with personalised naturopathic care, functional testing, and herbal or nutritional support.
If you are ready to make change, I want to work with you.
Reading blogs is a great start, but real change happens when you have a plan that’s tailored to you. If you’re ready to move from research into action, I’d love to support you. Book a free discovery call and let’s explore how we can work together on your health journey.
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Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance & Fertility
Seed cycling uses flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds to gently support hormone balance, fertility, and cycle health.
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Two ways to work with me
Everyone’s health journey is different. Some people need focused guidance on a specific issue, while others need deeper, ongoing support to address complex or long-standing symptoms.
Here are the two ways you can work with me.
Best for: Targeted concerns, short-term guidance, or those who want support around a specific issue.
Standard naturopathic consultations are designed to provide individualised advice, education, and recommendations based on your symptoms, history, and goals.
This option may include:
-
One-off or occasional consultations
-
Nutrition, lifestyle, herbal, and supplement guidance
-
Review of existing blood work or test results
-
Practical strategies you can implement independently
This approach works well if:
-
Your symptoms are mild to moderate
-
You’re looking for direction rather than ongoing support
-
You prefer to manage implementation on your own between sessions
Standard support offers flexibility and professional guidance, but progress depends largely on how consistently recommendations are applied and followed up.
-
Best for: Women with endometriosis, PCOS or complex hormonal symptoms who want clarity, structure, and ongoing guidance rather than trial-and-error.
The Thrive programs are comprehensive, multi-phase support pathways designed to address the root drivers of symptoms using functional testing, personalised treatment plans, and consistent 1:1 care.
Rather than isolated appointments, Thrive provides an integrated framework where testing, interpretation, treatment, and support are connected and adjusted as your body responds.
Inside Thrive, you receive:
-
Advanced functional testing and interpretation
-
A personalised, phased treatment plan
-
Ongoing 1:1 practitioner support
-
Access to the Thrive hub, resources, and protocols
-
Structured guidance so you know what to focus on at each stage
The program begins with an initial 1–2 month stabilisation and clarity phase, where we identify what’s driving your symptoms and support the systems under the most strain. From there, you can choose to continue into the full program for deeper treatment and long-term support.
This approach is ideal if:
-
You’ve tried many things and still feel stuck
-
Your symptoms are complex, cyclical, or worsening
-
You want to stop guessing and be guided step-by-step
-
You value ongoing support, accountability, and adjustment
Thrive is designed to take the pressure off you to figure everything out alone. It’s structured, personalised care that adapts to your body not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
-
If you’re unsure which level of support best suits your needs, the first step is a Discovery Call.
This is a supportive conversation where we explore what’s been going on, what you’ve tried, and whether standard support or a Thrive program is the most appropriate next step.
Best for: Targeted concerns, short-term guidance, or those who want support around a specific issue.
Standard naturopathic consultations are designed to provide individualised advice, education, and recommendations based on your symptoms, history, and goals.
This option may include:
-
One-off or occasional consultations
-
Nutrition, lifestyle, herbal, and supplement guidance
-
Review of existing blood work or test results
-
Practical strategies you can implement independently
This approach works well if:
-
Your symptoms are mild to moderate
-
You’re looking for direction rather than ongoing support
-
You prefer to manage implementation on your own between sessions
Standard support offers flexibility and professional guidance, but progress depends largely on how consistently recommendations are applied and followed up.
-
Best for: Women with endometriosis, PCOS or complex hormonal symptoms who want clarity, structure, and ongoing guidance rather than trial-and-error.
The Thrive programs are comprehensive, multi-phase support pathways designed to address the root drivers of symptoms using functional testing, personalised treatment plans, and consistent 1:1 care.
Rather than isolated appointments, Thrive provides an integrated framework where testing, interpretation, treatment, and support are connected and adjusted as your body responds.
Inside Thrive, you receive:
-
Advanced functional testing and interpretation
-
A personalised, phased treatment plan
-
Ongoing 1:1 practitioner support
-
Access to the Thrive hub, resources, and protocols
-
Structured guidance so you know what to focus on at each stage
The program begins with an initial 1–2 month stabilisation and clarity phase, where we identify what’s driving your symptoms and support the systems under the most strain. From there, you can choose to continue into the full program for deeper treatment and long-term support.
This approach is ideal if:
-
You’ve tried many things and still feel stuck
-
Your symptoms are complex, cyclical, or worsening
-
You want to stop guessing and be guided step-by-step
-
You value ongoing support, accountability, and adjustment
Thrive is designed to take the pressure off you to figure everything out alone. It’s structured, personalised care that adapts to your body not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
-
If you’re unsure which level of support best suits your needs, the first step is a Discovery Call.
This is a supportive conversation where we explore what’s been going on, what you’ve tried, and whether standard support or a Thrive program is the most appropriate next step.