I have shared the below recipe with more women than I can remember since I first read it in the eye-opening book Period Power by Maisie Hill which demystified the impact of hormones on my body and helped me honor it and respect its power. This is the seed cycling recipe to manage our hormones during the menstrual cycle. It helped me regulate my own cycle and minimize some physical and emotional symptoms I have before every period and also improve the health of my hair and the strength and length of my nails. Share this with all the women you know and start now.

“In the follicular phase of your cycle (days 1–14 of a 28-day cycle), or from new moon to full moon if you’re not currently menstruating, eat 2–4 tbsps of both ground flax seeds and pumpkin seeds per day to gently and naturally increase oestrogen levels. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which supports progesterone production and release in the second phase of your cycle.

In the luteal phase of your cycle (days 15–28), or from full moon to dark moon, eat 2–4 tbsps of both sesame seeds and sunflower seeds per day. The zinc in sesame seeds and the vitamin E in sunflower seeds both help stimulate the production of progesterone. The lignans in sesame seeds help to block excess oestrogen, and sunflower seeds provide selenium which assists the liver in its detoxification role and improve overall hormonal health.”

“Buy whole organic seeds and use a coffee or spice grinder to get a powder which you can add to porridge, soups, salads and smoothies. Or just eat them whole if you prefer. You can grind enough for the week ahead and store them in the freezer. Stay clear of pre-ground seeds as they oxidise rapidly and go rancid. You might experience a change in your cycle within the first month of seed cycling, but it usually takes 3–4 cycles to see a noticeable difference because that’s how long it takes for a follicle to mature and be released at ovulation.”

Source: Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You by Maisie Hill