Frequently asked
questions

Seed cycling is a food-based practice that involves eating four specific seeds — flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower — in two phases that align with the natural rhythm of the menstrual cycle or the lunar calendar.

Phase 1 (flaxseed and pumpkin seeds) is taken from day 1 of your period until ovulation. Phase 2 (sesame and sunflower seeds) is taken from ovulation until your next period. Each set of seeds has a distinct nutritional profile — rich in fibre, essential fatty acids, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and lignans — that makes them a nourishing addition to your daily diet.

It is a wholefood practice, not a supplement or medication. Many women incorporate it as part of a broader approach to looking after themselves.

Yes — you can start at any point. You do not have to wait for day 1 of your period.

Work out where you are in your cycle and jump in from there. For example, if you are on day 10, take Phase 1 for the remaining days until ovulation, then switch to Phase 2. When your next period starts, that is day 1 of a full new cycle.

If your cycle is irregular, absent, or you are in menopause, you can follow the lunar calendar instead — Phase 1 from the new moon, Phase 2 from the full moon.

Everyone is different. Some customers notice changes in digestion or energy within the first few weeks. Others find it takes a few full cycles before they notice a shift. As a general guide, giving it at least three months of consistent daily use gives your body time to adjust and respond.

Seed cycling is a food-based practice — like any nutritional change, it tends to work gradually rather than overnight.

If you do not have a regular menstrual cycle — including if you have PCOS, are in menopause, have an absent period, or are postpartum — you can use the moon calendar as a guide instead.

Start Phase 1 on the new moon and switch to Phase 2 on the full moon. Some women find that after a few months their cycle begins to regulate enough that they can switch to following their own cycle instead.

Our blends are based on an average 28-day cycle, but yours does not need to be. Each pack includes extra servings to accommodate longer cycles.

If your cycle is regular but not 28 days — start Phase 1 on day 1 of your period and switch to Phase 2 at ovulation, whenever that falls for you. If you are unsure when you ovulate, following the moon phases is a good alternative.

Do not stress about it. You can double up the next day or just continue as normal. Consistency over time is what matters — one missed day is not going to undo anything.

The research on seed cycling as a complete practice is still emerging — it is a relatively new area of formal study. That said, the individual seeds used are well-established nutritionally. Flaxseed, sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds have all been studied for their nutritional profiles and potential roles in a healthy diet.

A 2025 systematic review published in PMC reviewed 10 eligible studies on seed cycling and its components in women with PMS and PCOS — the most comprehensive review to date. We share the research honestly, including its limitations.

Read the full science and research page

The four seeds used — flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower — are common wholefoods that are well-tolerated by most people as part of a balanced diet. Our blends are certified organic, cold-milled, and made without additives or preservatives.

If you have specific health conditions, take medication, or have a seed allergy, check with your GP or healthcare provider before starting.

If you are allergic to one of the four seeds, some people choose to adapt their approach. For example, if you are allergic to sesame, you might double the sunflower seeds in Phase 2 instead. If you have a more significant seed allergy, seed cycling may not be suitable and we would recommend consulting your healthcare provider.

Many women use seed cycling alongside hormonal birth control or HRT (also called Menopausal Hormone Therapy or MHT) as a way to support their general nutritional intake. As a wholefood practice, it does not interfere with medication or change hormone doses.

If you are on HRT, you can follow the moon phases rather than a menstrual cycle as your guide. If you take other medications or have specific health conditions, check with your healthcare provider first.

Flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds are common wholefoods that many people include in their diet during pregnancy and postpartum as a source of healthy fats, fibre, and key nutrients. Whether you follow the seed cycling phases or simply enjoy both blends daily, the seeds themselves are a nutritious addition to your diet.

As with any dietary change during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is best to check with your midwife, GP, or healthcare provider for personalised guidance.

Read more about seed cycling postpartum

Many women with PCOS, endometriosis, or irregular cycles choose to include seed cycling as part of their broader approach to eating well. If your cycle is irregular or absent, using the moon phases as a guide is a practical alternative to tracking a menstrual cycle.

Seed cycling is a food-based practice and is not a treatment for any medical condition. We always recommend working with your healthcare provider alongside any dietary changes, particularly if you have a diagnosed condition.

Yes. Many women in perimenopause and menopause incorporate seed cycling using the lunar calendar as their guide, since a menstrual cycle is no longer a reliable reference point. The seeds themselves are nutritious wholefoods that can be a valuable part of your diet at any stage of life.

Read more about seed cycling and menopause

Yes. The seeds are simply nutritious wholefoods — there is nothing in them that makes them exclusive to women. Many men enjoy including them for general nutritional variety. You can use both blends together daily or follow the moon phases if you prefer a structured rhythm.

Many women planning for pregnancy choose to include seed cycling as part of eating well in their preconception period. The seeds provide a range of nutrients — healthy fats, fibre, zinc, selenium, and lignans — that are a valuable part of a nutritious diet.

Seed cycling is a food-based practice and not a fertility treatment. For personalised support when trying to conceive, working with a qualified healthcare provider is always recommended.

Your subscription delivers a fresh refill every 26 days automatically, so you never run out mid-cycle. You save 25% compared to one-off purchase pricing, and you stay on that rate for as long as you subscribe.

After 3 months, everything is managed through your customer dashboard — you are never locked in beyond that.

Yes — after your 3-month minimum period you can pause or skip a delivery at any time. Log in to your customer dashboard, select your subscription, and choose pause or delay.

Pausing is a good option if you are travelling or have stock left over — it keeps you on your existing discounted rate when you resume.

After your 3-month minimum period, you can cancel at any time through your customer dashboard. Select your subscription and choose Cancel.

Worth knowing: if you cancel and resubscribe later, your original rate is not guaranteed — prices may have changed. Pausing is often the better option if you are just taking a break.

Yes. You can swap to a different product each month while keeping your subscription discount. To swap:

• Log in to your account
• Click My Subscriptions
• Select your active subscription and click Edit
• Select Swap, choose your new products, and confirm

Your updated products will be included in your next delivery.

Yes — you can add both subscription items and one-off purchases to the same order. This is handy if, for example, you want to grab an extra jar of Phase 2 for baking while your regular subscription continues as normal.

Our seeds are cold-milled and ground in small batches. Ground seeds have a much larger surface area than whole seeds, which makes it easier for the body to access the nutrients inside — whole seeds often pass through largely undigested. Ground seeds are also easier on digestion for most people.

We use oxygen absorbers in our Phase 1 and Phase 2 containers to maintain freshness and protect the oils in the seeds from going rancid — something you cannot guarantee when buying your own seeds separately.

Once opened, store Phase 1 and Phase 2 containers in the fridge or freezer with the lid sealed. The same applies to the bake mixes. Ground seeds contain delicate oils that can oxidise quickly at room temperature once the seal is broken — keeping them cold preserves both freshness and nutritional quality.

The blends are designed to be as easy as possible — one scoop, once a day. Most people add them to smoothies, yoghurt bowls, overnight oats, salads, or soups. The bake mixes work for brownies, cookies, slices, and muffins.

See the full how-to guide or browse recipes here.

Yes. All our seed blends are Australian Certified Organic under certification number ACO13335. When seed cycling, using certified organic seeds means you can be confident you are not inadvertently consuming pesticide residues or other contaminants alongside your daily seeds.

Seed cycling is a wholefood practice — there is no need to stop or take a break. Many customers have made it a permanent part of their daily routine, continuing through different life stages including perimenopause, menopause, postpartum, and beyond.

Yes — if you love The Seed Cycle and want to share it, you can earn commission on sales through our affiliate program. Sign up here.

Yes — we ship Australia-wide and to most countries internationally. If your country does not appear at checkout, email us at hello@theseedcycle.com.au and we will sort it out. Free shipping within Australia on orders over $250.

View our full shipping policy

We aim to dispatch all orders promptly. Once dispatched, you will receive a tracking number so you can follow your order. Delivery times depend on your location and the courier — occasional delays can occur during busy periods or public holidays that are outside our control.

If your order seems unusually delayed, get in touch and we will do our best to help.

View our full shipping policy