I actually love DIY seed cycling. Because that's exactly how The Seed Cycle started.
When I was working in Functional Nutrition, this is what I taught every client who wanted to try seed cycling.
I'd tell them to go and find organic flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, take them home, grind them fresh, and follow a simple schedule based on where they were in their cycle or the moon for post menopause. We'd go through exactly how much to take, when to switch seeds, and easy ways to include them in everyday meals.
But over time, I noticed the same challenges coming up again and again.
Finding quality organic seeds wasn't always easy.
Grinding them every week became another job.
Women weren't always sure if they were taking the right amounts.
And consistency was often the hardest part.
That's what inspired The Seed Cycle.
Today, we haven't changed the philosophy—we've simply made it easier.
The Right Dose Matters
One thing we've stayed true to from the very beginning is the amount of seeds we recommend.
Our serving sizes are based on the amounts commonly recommended by leading functional medicine practitioners, including Dr Lara Briden and Dr Jolene Brighten, as well as the quantities used in published seed cycling research.
It Starts With the Seeds
Seeds are incredibly nutritious.
They're naturally rich in fibre, healthy fats, lignans, minerals, vitamin E, and plant compounds that make them such a valuable part of a balanced diet.
But those nutrients are only as good as the quality of the seed itself.
That's why sourcing has become one of the biggest parts of what we do.
Rather than purchasing whatever is cheapest or easiest to access, we source certified organic seeds from some of the best growing regions in the world.
Our primary supplier is in Bulgaria, with other organic seeds sourced from carefully selected growers across Europe and other regions depending on seasonal availability and harvest quality.
Every harvest is different.
Weather, rainfall, soil conditions and growing practices all influence the final crop, so we're constantly reviewing suppliers to ensure we're purchasing the highest-quality organic seeds available.
Why Organic Really Matters
People often ask whether organic is worth it.
For us, the answer is simple.
Yes.
Conventional seed farming may involve the use of synthetic herbicides, insecticides and fungicides throughout the growing season.
Some commonly used agricultural chemicals include:
- Glyphosate-based herbicides
- Organophosphate insecticides
- Synthetic pyrethroids
- Neonicotinoid insecticides
- Various synthetic fungicides
Many of these chemicals have been studied for their potential effects on human health.
Some pesticides have been identified in scientific literature as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
EDCs are substances that may interfere with normal hormone signalling by mimicking, blocking or altering the body's natural hormones.
While exposure comes from many areas of modern life—not just food—we believe reducing unnecessary exposure where possible is a sensible approach.
Choosing certified organic seeds is one way we do that.
What Does Australian Certified Organic Mean?
Not all "organic" labels are equal.
Our products are certified by Australian Certified Organic (ACO13335), Australia's largest and most respected organic certification body.
To achieve certification, every step of the supply chain is audited.
That includes:
- Where the seeds are grown
- Farming practices
- Storage
- Processing
- Transport
- Packaging
- Traceability
Every batch must meet strict standards before it reaches your kitchen. That gives us and you confidence in what's inside every pouch.
What pesticides are used on ACO-certified organic seeds?
Organic farming doesn't mean "no pesticides ever." Instead, it means synthetic pesticides and herbicides are prohibited, and only a limited number of naturally derived or approved substances may be used when necessary.
Examples of substances that may be permitted under organic standards (when justified) include:
- Copper-based fungicides (strictly limited)
- Sulphur (for fungal diseases)
- Natural plant oils
- Kaolin clay
- Diatomaceous earth
- Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
- Beneficial insects and integrated pest management
Organic farming relies primarily on:
- Crop rotation
- Healthy soil management
- Mechanical weed control
- Cover crops
- Biological pest control
- Biodiversity
rather than chemical pesticides.
Can organic seeds still contain glyphosate?
Glyphosate is prohibited under Australian Certified Organic standards. Farmers cannot spray certified organic crops with glyphosate before planting, during growth, or as a pre-harvest desiccant.
However, trace residues can occasionally be detected due to factors outside the farmer's control, such as:
- Spray drift from neighbouring conventional farms
- Environmental contamination
- Residues already present in soil or water
- Cross-contamination during transport or storage
These trace detections do not mean glyphosate was used by the organic farmer.
Certified organic operations have strict auditing, traceability, and contamination management systems, and if prohibited substances are intentionally used, the crop can lose its organic certification.
Heavy Metal Testing Matters
One thing many people don't realise is that plants naturally absorb minerals from the soil.
Unfortunately, this can also include heavy metals.
Sunflower seeds, in particular, are known to accumulate more cadmium than many other foods because of the way the sunflower plant absorbs nutrients from the soil.
Cadmium occurs naturally in some soils, although agricultural practices and environmental contamination can also contribute.
This doesn't mean sunflower seeds are "bad."
They're still an incredibly nutritious food.
But it does mean sourcing matters.
That's why every batch of our sunflower seeds is tested.
In our testing, we've consistently found our sunflower seeds contain 4–7 times less cadmium than some supermarket alternatives we compared.
If you're eating seeds every day, that's something we think is worth investing in.
Freshness Is Everything
Seeds contain delicate unsaturated fats.
These healthy fats are one of the reasons seeds are so nutritious—but they're also the reason freshness matters.
Once seeds are ground, more surface area is exposed to oxygen.
Over time, oxygen, light and heat can begin breaking down these healthy oils in a process called oxidation.
As oxidation progresses, fats can eventually become rancid, affecting both flavour and nutritional quality.
That's why we don't simply grind seeds and hope for the best.
Every pouch is packed with freshness in mind.
We use high-quality packaging together with oxygen absorbers to minimise oxygen exposure after packing, helping maintain freshness for longer.
We also test product quality to ensure they meet our standards before it reaches your pantry.
Why We Grind the Seeds
A common question we receive is:
"Can I just eat whole seeds?"
The answer is simple.
Grinding improves accessibility.
Whole flaxseeds, in particular, often pass through the digestive tract largely intact.
Grinding helps break down the tough outer shell, making it easier to access many of the nutrients naturally found inside.
Never Use Flaxseed Meal for Seed Cycling
One of the biggest mistakes we see is people buying flaxseed meal instead of ground flaxseed.
Although the names sound similar, they're not the same product.
Ground flaxseed is simply whole flaxseeds that have been freshly milled, keeping the naturally occurring healthy fats, fibre, lignans, and nutrients intact.
Flaxseed meal (sometimes called defatted flax meal) is what's left after the oil has been extracted from the seed. Because much of the natural oil has been removed, it doesn't provide the same nutritional profile as freshly ground whole flaxseed and isn't what is typically recommended for seed cycling.
For this reason, we never use flaxseed meal in our products.
Instead, we source premium organic whole flaxseeds and grind them ourselves in small batches. This allows us to retain the seed's natural oils, fibre, lignans and nutrients while delivering the freshest product possible.
Once ground, the seeds are immediately packed into high-barrier packaging with oxygen absorbers to help protect the delicate fats from oxidation and maintain freshness.
When you're eating something every single day, these details matter.
Seed cycling is about nourishing your body with whole foods—not by-products.
That's why every pouch of The Seed Cycle contains freshly ground whole flaxseed, never flaxseed meal.
Education Matters Just As Much
Buying seeds is easy.
Knowing how to actually use them consistently is another story.
That's why The Seed Cycle is much more than a bag of seeds.
We provide:
- Educational resources
- Simple recipes
- Meal inspiration
- Cycle guidance
- Our free app Phase by The Seed Cycle
- Ongoing support from our community
Because healthy habits are easier to maintain when you don't have to figure everything out yourself.
So... Is DIY Seed Cycling Wrong?
Absolutely not.
DIY seed cycling helped build this business.
It's where so many women begin.
If that's what fits your budget and lifestyle, I genuinely think it's wonderful.
But if you want the reassurance that your seeds are:
✔ Certified organic
✔ Carefully sourced
✔ Heavy metal tested
✔ Ground for convenience
✔ Packed for freshness with oxygen absorbers
✔ Perfectly portioned
✔ Backed by education, recipes and support
...that's exactly why we created The Seed Cycle.
Because when you're nourishing your body every single day, we believe the little details make a big difference.
And those details are what we've obsessed over from day one.
Ready to get started? The Seed Cycle Starter Pack has everything you need! New to the community? Use the code: WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order!
