We are surrounded and intertwined with natural cycles whether we stop to notice or not. We move from morning to night through our daily routines and the seasons progress with weather and a string of holidays and our bodies correspondingly go through natural cycles. One of the most infamous of these is the menstrual cycle in women. (Hang in there men, you are not devoid of cycles yourself!) Unfortunately, because issues such as painful cramping, mood changes, breast tenderness and heavy bleeding are common phenomena in our society, many women assume that this is normal. If you or someone you care about experiences pain and discomfort during their period, please let them know that actually, this is not normal and there are plenty of resources including Chinese medicine that can bring the body back into balance.
Regulating the menstrual cycle in important not only to relieve women from pain, but also to promote good reproductive health into the childbearing years and maintaining optimal iron and nutrient levels to name a few.
Balancing hormone cycles also assures a healthier aging process and allows women to go through menopause without the unneeded side effects of hot flashes (also NOT normal and very treatable with natural methods, foods, herbs, acupuncture, etc.)
There are two main phases of the menstrual cycle:
Phase 1:(Follicular Phase) From Day 1 of the menstrual period (bleeding begins) until Ovulation. Estrogen is the superstar here working towards ovulation for around the first 14 days (or a tad longer if you have longer cycles)
Phase 2: (Luteal Phase) From ovulation to the first day of menstruation. This part of the cycle is when Progesterone is produced and is generally 14 days long.
Regulating the menstrual cycle in important not only to relieve women from pain, but also to promote good reproductive health into the childbearing years and maintaining optimal iron and nutrient levels to name a few.
Balancing hormone cycles also assures a healthier aging process and allows women to go through menopause without the unneeded side effects of hot flashes (also NOT normal and very treatable with natural methods, foods, herbs, acupuncture, etc.)
There are two main phases of the menstrual cycle:
Phase 1:(Follicular Phase) From Day 1 of the menstrual period (bleeding begins) until Ovulation. Estrogen is the superstar here working towards ovulation for around the first 14 days (or a tad longer if you have longer cycles)
Phase 2: (Luteal Phase) From ovulation to the first day of menstruation. This part of the cycle is when Progesterone is produced and is generally 14 days long.
Seeds offer a great benefit in promoting hormone regulation as they contain components called lignans and essentially fatty acids such as Omega-3s and Omega 6s to assist the hormone pathways and receptor sites. (My best non-sciency short summary,)Here's how to make it work for you:
During the 1st Phase: From day 1-day 14. New Moon ("Estrogen Party - Omega 3s")
1 to 2 Tablespoons of Organic, Raw and GROUND FLAX seeds, PUMPKIN seeds or whole CHIA seeds.
Combine this with a high quality Fish Oil (also promoting Omega 3s) Store in the fridge to prevent it going rancid. (I use Isagenix Brand and also like Nordic Naturals brand)
During Phase 2: From day 15-28. Full Moon - Ovulation to Menstruation ("Progesterone Pals - Omega 6s")
1-2 Tablespoons of Organic, Raw and Ground SESAME and/or SUNFLOWER seeds.
You can combine this with Evening Primrose Oil which is available at local health good grocery stores and online.
KEY POINTS:
* GRIND the seeds. I have a coffee grinder specifically for this purpose. Seeds must be ground in order to get the goodness into your body. You're a human, not a nut cracker.
*TIMING: The moon has often been a symbol of women's cycles. Ideally, we'd like to ovulate on the full moon and menstruate on the new moon. I recommend that women in their childbearing years begin with how their physical cycles are now. Women with very irregular cycles or post menopausal women without cycles may choose to follow the moon cycles.
*MEN can support a healthy balance of hormones as well by reversing the cycle described above. From the new moon until the full moon: 1-2 tablespoons of ground sesame or sunflower seeds and from the full moon until the new moon: 1-2 tablespoons of ground flax or pumpkin seeds.
Questions? Comments? I love to hear how this is working for you. Feel free to post a comment here or let me know through the Contacts page. Enjoy!
-Leslie
During the 1st Phase: From day 1-day 14. New Moon ("Estrogen Party - Omega 3s")
1 to 2 Tablespoons of Organic, Raw and GROUND FLAX seeds, PUMPKIN seeds or whole CHIA seeds.
Combine this with a high quality Fish Oil (also promoting Omega 3s) Store in the fridge to prevent it going rancid. (I use Isagenix Brand and also like Nordic Naturals brand)
During Phase 2: From day 15-28. Full Moon - Ovulation to Menstruation ("Progesterone Pals - Omega 6s")
1-2 Tablespoons of Organic, Raw and Ground SESAME and/or SUNFLOWER seeds.
You can combine this with Evening Primrose Oil which is available at local health good grocery stores and online.
KEY POINTS:
* GRIND the seeds. I have a coffee grinder specifically for this purpose. Seeds must be ground in order to get the goodness into your body. You're a human, not a nut cracker.
*TIMING: The moon has often been a symbol of women's cycles. Ideally, we'd like to ovulate on the full moon and menstruate on the new moon. I recommend that women in their childbearing years begin with how their physical cycles are now. Women with very irregular cycles or post menopausal women without cycles may choose to follow the moon cycles.
*MEN can support a healthy balance of hormones as well by reversing the cycle described above. From the new moon until the full moon: 1-2 tablespoons of ground sesame or sunflower seeds and from the full moon until the new moon: 1-2 tablespoons of ground flax or pumpkin seeds.
Questions? Comments? I love to hear how this is working for you. Feel free to post a comment here or let me know through the Contacts page. Enjoy!
-Leslie
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