Every morning, Tracy Dyson checks her calendar, then sprinkles a tablespoon of seeds over her cereal or blends them into a breakfast smoothie.
For the first two weeks of each month, she chooses flaxseed and pumpkin seeds; For the next two, she switches to sesame and sunflower seeds — without mixing the combinations.
At 50, Tracy, an acupuncturist and women’s health expert, is striving to get a grip on the hormonal swings of perimenopause and has found, like a growing number of women, that seed cycling keeps their foggy heads and mood swings at bay.
Tracy Dyson, 50, has revealed how eating seeds according to the lunar calendar can help women going through menopause
Rooted in Chinese medicine, seed cycling has surged in popularity over the past year, with wellness influencers and pundits touting the virtues of strategic — and visually appealing — seed dispersal.
You can even buy kits and mixes, for example Seed Cycle 3kg Box Pumpkin Flax and Sunflower Seeds (£23.97, fodabox.com) or Organic Seed Cycling Seed Syncing Moon Bites – Pumpkin, Flax, Sesame and Sunflower (£65, etsy .com).
Before trying seed cycling, Tracy suffered from fluctuating body temperatures, irregular periods, brain fog and poor sleep. “But after a month of the Seed Method, I noticed that things improved significantly,” she says.
The acupuncturist says seeds are a natural source of fiber and help metabolize healthy estrogen
“The forgetfulness was gone and I slept much better. I was wondering if maybe I was having a placebo effect, but when we went on vacation and I skipped seed cycling for a few weeks, my old perimenopausal symptoms returned.
Tracy is so evangelical about seed cycling that she recommends it to all of her midlife clients. The scientist and naturopath Dr. Vera Martins of veramartinsnaturopath.com explains: “Hormone levels naturally drop in midlife and semen cycling can help boost production. It seems to be working quietly in the background, helping to balance out some of the more extreme hormonal imbalances.’
She points out that seeds are a natural source of fiber (helps metabolize healthy estrogen), omega-3 fats (good for heart, skin, and anti-inflammatory), protein (for strong muscles), and additional vitamins and minerals. Regular consumption could result in improved energy levels and give a healthy glow to skin and hair
HOW IT WORKS
Flaxseed and pumpkin seeds are a rich source of phytoestrogens – plant compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen. In the first half of the month, they can support a decreasing production of the hormone. Their high omega-3 fatty acid content reduces inflammation and regulates production of the follicle-stimulating hormone that triggers the release of eggs from the ovaries.
Sesame seeds are a good source of zinc and sunflower seeds are high in magnesium and vitamins B6 and E, which support progesterone production – important for the second half of the month.
If you have a regular monthly cycle, the accepted advice is to start your flaxseed and pumpkin seed mixture on the first day of your period
FLASHING IS BEST
dr Martins warns that seed cycling requires organization and commitment. For starters, your seeds should be freshly blitzed in a blender – this makes it easier for the body to absorb their nutrients. Ground seeds can lose their potency quickly, so nutritionists recommend mixing up a few tablespoons at a time and storing in a sealed container in the fridge.
Eat them for breakfast, sprinkle them over your salads, or add them to flatbreads, bread, or energy ball snacks. Aim for two tablespoons of seeds a day – one tablespoon of each type of seed for that phase of your cycle.
MOON TIMING
If you have a regular monthly cycle, the accepted advice is to start with your flaxseed and pumpkin seed blend on the first day of your period (the first day of your cycle) and then switch to sesame and sunflower seeds the day you ovulate (usually) day 14 ) by shortening or lengthening each phase to fit your natural cycle.
If your period becomes irregular or missed, many nutritionists recommend planning your cycle to coincide with that of the moon. Start with flaxseed and pumpkin seeds on the first day of the full moon and switch to sesame and sunflower seeds 14 days later (around the time of the new moon).
“It really is such a simple process, inexpensive (about 10p per tablespoon) and so simple – it’s just a matter of keeping track of the calendar and making sure you’re eating the right seed combinations at the right time of the month,” says Tracy Dyson.
Despite all the hype, Dr. Martins before expecting quick results. It may take you three months of dedicated seed cycling before you notice changes. And anyone with severe menopausal symptoms should manage their expectations.
“If you’re really struggling with menopause, seeds may not help. Instead, consider talking to your GP about HRT,” she says.