Seed Cycling and Hormonal Health

My name is Louise Mensah and I’m a menstrual/ life coach, teacher and wellbeing expert. I’m also the founder of an amazing brand: eleveneleven.


About Me

As a multi-passionate individual, I’m best described as a wearer of MANY hats. Some hats I’ve worn in the past include youth mentoring and writing. During my writing era, I had the pleasure of writing for Nursing Times, Pride Magazine, Heat Magazine, BBC 3 , Channel 4 and more.


In 2020, Louise obtained a herbalism diploma, and thereafter completed courses in menstrual health and life coaching. She is also the founder of a brand called eleveneleven, which provides women with products that support their journey to hormonal balance. 


About My Brand

Recently, eleveneleven launched ground seed cycling kits; a natural food therapy based approach which provides users with hormone balance support. Regular seed cyclers notice a reduction in pain and PMS symptoms associated with periods. A key mission of her work and offerings is to raise more awareness on the interconnectedness of menstrual and mental health.

 

What is Seed Cycling? 

 

Seed cycling (aka seed rotation and seed syncing) is a naturopathic method based on the idea that consuming pumpkin, flaxseeds (linseeds), sunflower and sesame seeds at different phases within your menstrual cycle support your body with hormone balance. Seed cycling can benefit women who have painful periods, PMS, and PMDD. Seed cycling is also beneficial for those with conditions such as PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis.

How Does It Work?
During your menstrual and follicular phase (the week of and after your period) you consume 1-2 tbsp of flaxseeds (linseed) and pumpkin seeds. These can be found in our Yin seed cycling kit. Flaxseeds contain lignans which are phytoestrogens; they adapt to your bodies oestrogenic needs. They help boost/decrease oestrogen levels as they are both oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic. Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds are high in omega 3s which are an essential fatty acid that the body needs and also help with pain relief.

On ovulation day (for most people this is cycle day 15) and your luteal phase you then consume 1-2 tbsp of sunflower and sesame seeds which can be found in our Yang seed cycling kit. Sesame seeds are high in zinc and sunflower seeds are a rich source of Vitamin E which both worth together to support the production of progesterone. Progesterone helps maintain the womb (uterus) lining. Low progesterone has been linked to short periods, unhealthy periods and infertility.

 

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By Louise Mensah