Author: Shrimanti Das | Illustrator: Parvathi Nayanar
Acne can occur due to several reasons but often it is a sign of hormonal imbalance. Seed cycling can do wonders for improving hormonal imbalance thus, controlling acne.
What is Seed Cycling?
Seed cycling is a naturopathic remedy that involves eating flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame and sunflower seeds at various times of menstrual cycle. It works by regulating the key hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen and progesterone are the two main reproductive hormones that flow throughout the month. Estrogen spike during follicular phase and progesterone spike during luteal phase. If these hormone levels are not normal then it leads to hormonal imbalance resulting problems like cramps, mood swings and acne.
The production of these hormones are affected by stress, improper diet, bad life style, digestive issues etc. however these hormones can be balanced with seed cycling and proper diet.
How does Seed Cycling help?
Seed cycling is said to help regulate periods, reduce hormonal acne, treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, infertility, and alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, lethargy, and mood swings. It works because seeds contains important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that aid in the generation, detoxification, and metabolism of the primary hormones involved in our cycles. According to research studies, it was found out that, flax seeds weaken estrogenic effect which means it makes estrogen to balance acne-promoting progesterone which is a dominating hormone during the menstrual phase.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in essential fatty acids which regulates sebum production in skin, thus regulating acne.
How to do Seed Cycling?
The recommended regimen has two phases.
Phase 1
From the first day of your period until the day before you ovulate which is known as the follicular phase, consume one tablespoon of raw, ground pumpkin seeds and one tablespoon of raw, ground flax seeds ( day 13 from period). For most people, Phase 1 should last about two weeks.
Phase 2
From the day of ovulation (14th day after period) to the day before the first day of your next period which is known as the luteal phase, eat one tablespoon of raw, ground sunflower seeds and one tablespoon of raw, ground sesame seeds per day. Like phase 1 , phase 2 generally last roughly two weeks.
The estrogen-dominant follicular phase, when the ovaries raise estrogen levels in the body, is thought to be supported by pumpkin and flax in Phase 1. Supplementing with sunflower and sesame seeds in Phase 2 is also suggested to help with progesterone levels in the luteal phase.
- Grind enough pumpkin and flax seeds to last a week.
- To keep the food fresh, keep it in the refrigerator.
- Every day, eat two teaspoons of seeds. You can consume these seeds in smoothies, salads or with your regular meal.
- After one week, repeat the process.
- On the first day of menstruation, switch seeds.
- On the day of ovulation, switch seeds.
It’s common advice for menopausal and postmenopausal women to use the phases of the moon as a guide to cycle dates, with day one of their cycle falling on the new moon.
Disclaimer
The content in this article is for generic information only and it’s nowhere a substitute of medical opinion. If no remedies work for you always take doctor’s advice before taking any kind of supplements and medications.
