What Is Seed Cycling? Expert Shares How It Can Help Balance Hormones

What if we tell you that you can regulate your hormones, and you don’t even need any pill for this. All you need are some natural seeds like flax and pumpkin. So before you pop another hormone pill, try checking your kitchen cabinet. Want to know what we are talking about? We are talking about seed cycling. If this makes you curious, then this article is for you.

To get a clear picture on seed cycling, we reach out to our expert Dr Geetika Chopra, Celebrity Holistic Nutritionist. Read on.

What is Seed Cycling?

“Seed cycling has taken the wellness world by storm - and for a good reason. This natural, food-based ritual uses four simple seeds - flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower - to help the body restore hormonal harmony,” shares Dr Chopra.

She adds that by syncing your nutrition with your menstrual phases, seed cycling supports the natural ebb and flow of estrogen and progesterone – two hormones that rule your mood, metabolism, fertility, and skin.

Can Seed Cycling Balance Your Hormones?

Does seed cycling really help in balancing hormones? Our expert answers our query.

“Seed cycling isn’t a ‘quick fix’ — but it’s a powerful reset button for your endocrine system.
Each seed provides nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, lignans, and vitamin E, which support hormone production and detoxification. Over time, it helps your body naturally correct mild hormonal irregularities — the kind that cause acne, fatigue, mood swings, bloating, and weight fluctuations. You can’t bully your hormones into balance. You have to nourish them into it — and that’s exactly what seed cycling does,” explains Dr Chopra.

Can Seed Cycling Regulate Menstrual Cycle?

Many women are troubled by irregular periods. For them, seed cycling can be a boon.

“During the follicular phase (Day 1–14), flax and pumpkin seeds help boost and stabilize estrogen, which supports ovulation and a healthy uterine lining. In the luteal phase (Day 15–28), sesame and sunflower seeds encourage progesterone production, reducing PMS symptoms and supporting a timely, smoother cycle. With consistency, many women experience more regular cycles, lighter cramps, and improved energy. When your hormones start following nature’s rhythm again, your cycle naturally falls into place — no apps, no anxiety,” shares Dr Chopra.

Also Read: From Chia To Sesame, The Best Time To Eat Your Seeds For Your Gut Health, Gastroenterologist Shares

Can Seed Cycling Help Women Deal with PMS and PCOS?

Dr Chopra shares that during PMS, seed cycling helps stabilize mood, reduce breast tenderness, and ease bloating — thanks to the anti-inflammatory and hormone-supportive nutrients in these seeds.

“For PCOS, it helps lower androgen (male hormone) dominance, improve insulin sensitivity, and support thyroid function — all crucial for hormonal balance and ovulation. PCOS doesn’t need punishment diets. It needs nutrient therapy — and that’s what this method delivers, one spoon at a time,” she adds.

Does Seed Cycling Increase Hormones Naturally?

Now, if you are wondering whether seed cycling increases estrogen and progesterone naturally or not, our expert answers it for you.

“Yes — but the beauty lies in the balance. Flax and pumpkin seeds support healthy estrogen production in the first half of your cycle, while sesame and sunflower seeds enhance progesterone in the second half. It doesn’t ‘boost’ hormones blindly; it helps your body regulate them naturally — preventing estrogen dominance or progesterone dips. These seeds don’t add hormones — they teach your body how to make and manage them better,” cites Dr Chopra.

“Seed cycling isn’t a fad — it’s food therapy rooted in biochemistry. It won’t replace medical treatment for serious endocrine disorders, but it can support your body’s natural healing rhythm. So before you reach for hormone pills, reach for your spice box. Because sometimes, your hormones don’t need a doctor — they just need dinner with a purpose,” she concludes.

Also Read: 5 Science-Backed Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds for Men's Fertility and Prostate Health

The Final Word

Seed cycling is a natural, food-based ritual which uses four simple seeds — flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower. It has multiple health benefits for women, especially helping their body restore its hormonal harmony.