Benefits of Seed Cycling for Acne

By Liana Meggetto, RHN + Acne Coach in The Clear Skin Solution

On the quest for radiant skin and balanced hormones, diving into natural practices can be a secret weapon to unlocking your body’s natural abilities and achieving perfect harmony. The ancient and holistic practice of seed cycling is a standout! This centuries-old method harnesses the incredible power of various seeds to support women’s natural hormone fluctuations. It not only helps potentially reduce acne but also boosts your body’s detox game.

What is Seed Cycling?

Seed cycling is a fun and simple practice rooted in traditional medicine. By consuming specific seeds during the two phases of the menstrual cycle—follicular and luteal—it supports estrogen and progesterone levels, tackling hormone imbalances that can lead to acne. It’s gentle yet effective for helping to balance hormones, reduce PMS symptoms, and possibly enhance cycle regularity. Whether you’re post-menopause, coming off birth control, or dealing with irregular periods and PMS, seed cycling could be a fantastic addition to your wellness routine!

Seed cycling for acne isn’t just great for hormone balancing—it’s also a game changer for your digestive health and overall detoxification! By ramping up your fibre intake, you’ll enjoy more regular bowel movements, which not only keep constipation at bay but also promote consistent regularity. Plus, awesome seeds like sesame and flax are fantastic for boosting your liver’s natural detox abilities, helping it clear out those pesky excess hormones and toxins.

Types of Seeds and Their Benefits

Flaxseeds

Rich in lignans, flaxseeds exert estrogen-modulating effects, helping to balance estrogen levels in the body. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with estrogen dominance, a common hormonal imbalance linked to acne flare-ups. They are also loaded with nutrients and rich in fibre, which really supports regular bowel movements.

Pumpkin Seeds

Loaded with zinc, pumpkin seeds play a crucial role in hormone regulation, including the synthesis of progesterone. Adequate progesterone levels are essential for maintaining hormonal balance and promoting clear, healthy skin. Pumpkin seeds are rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. They are also packed with fibre, aiding in the prevention of constipation, and magnesium, which helps to relax the muscles in the digestive tract to allow food to move more easily through the intestines. 

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds contain lignans and essential fatty acids that support estrogen metabolism and promote hormonal equilibrium. By aiding in estrogen detoxification, they contribute to a smoother hormonal balance. They are also a great source of B vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants. 

Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are abundant in selenium, which supports liver function and hormone metabolism. A healthy liver is essential for detoxifying excess hormones and toxins from the body, helping to reduce acne breakouts. Additionally, sunflower seeds are rich in tyrosine, an amino acid used by the body to create dopamine, our feel-good brain chemical!

Let’s Get Seed Cycling

Before learning how to seed cycle, it is important to understand the phases of the menstrual cycle. There are two predominant phases in a menstrual cycle when seed cycling: Follicular and Luteal.

With using a 28-day cycle as an example, the Follicular Phase begins on the first day of bleeding and lasts until ovulation, roughly days 1-14. Where the Luteal Phase occurs post-ovulation until the start of your next period, roughly days 15-28.

If you are missing a menses or having very long cycles (40+ days) you are able to follow the New-Full Moon cycle. You will count day 1 of the Follicular Phase as the first day of the new moon. On the full moon will be day 1 of your Luteal Phase.

Follicular Phase

Consume 1 tbsp of each of raw, fresh-ground pumpkin seeds and flax seeds. The lignans in flax help to bind excess estrogen so it can be flushed from the body. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which promotes healthy progesterone levels.

Luteal Phase

Consume 1 tbsp of each of raw, fresh ground sesame and sunflower seeds. These seeds help to boost progesterone production, while sesame is rich in zinc, and sunflower seeds are high in Vitamin E and selenium.

Important Notables

1. Grind your seeds fresh and use a “seed only” coffee grinder to avoid cross-contamination. 
2. Always keep your seeds in the fridge to keep them fresh and prevent them from going rancid. 
3. It is best to use raw, unroasted and unsalted seeds to ensure they have all their nutrients intact.
4. Keep a journal to track your symptoms during your menstrual cycles. You may start to notice benefits within three menstrual cycles. 
5. Consistency is key! You want to keep it up for a minimum of 3 months.

Incorporating Seed Cycling into your Day-To-Day

The great thing about seed cycling for acne is how easy it is to implement into your daily life. Simply add the ground seeds to smoothies, sprinkle on top of a meal, or even have a snack! Check out some of these tasty recipes that incorporate the different seeds.

Pro Tip: When crushing and blending seeds in advance, avoid holding more than three days of the mixture and ensure they are sealed in a container and placed into the fridge to avoid rancidity. 

How to Use in Your Meals

• Add to your favourite smoothie recipe. As a bonus, there is no need to pregrind them since the blender does it for you.
• Sprinkle on top of coconut yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, salads, soups, and buddha bowls.
• Mix into overnight oats or chia seed puddings.
• Stir it into a nut butter to use as a fruit dip.
• Use as a base for raw energy balls.
• Whip up a homemade pesto.

Seed Cycling for Acne: Recipes to Try

Cherry Bomb Smoothie
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Herbed Low Carb Bread with Seedy Topping
Kale and Basil Pesto
The Clear Skin Smoothie
Pan Seared Salmon with Pesto Bruschetta Zoodles
Shamrock Shake
Soba Noodle Salad with a Sesame Almond Butter Sauce

Harnessing the power of seed cycling for acne can be an effective and natural way to support hormone balance and enhance detoxification, leading to clearer, healthier skin. By incorporating specific seeds into your diet during different phases of your menstrual cycle, you can help regulate your hormones, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin health.