Eastern Nutrition: Seeds and Nuts Functions
I absolutely love when Western thinking meets Eastern philosophy!
In my practice, I treat a lot of women with hormonal imbalances. Many come in especially for fertility support. With each patient, I form a TCM diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan, which always includes nutrition. After all, digestion is at the centre of our health!
Enter: Seeds and Seed Cycling!
Are you familiar with this Western nutritional support to help balance women’s hormones?
Usually, four kind of seeds are added to the diet daily, and rotated based on the follicular and luteal phases. From Day 1 to Day 14 (or until ovulation): it is recommended to take 1 tablespoon each of flax seeds and pumpkin seeds daily. And from Day 15 (or after ovulation) to Day 28, or until menstruation starts: it’s recommended to take 1 tablespoon each sunflower and sesame seeds daily.
Lots of studies show pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which supports progesterone release and flax seeds contain lignans which block excess estrogen. Sesame seeds, also contain lignans, while sunflower seeds provide the body with selenium, assisting the liver in detoxification.
How does TCM fit into this equation?
In Chinese medicine, seeds are said to help tonify TCM Kidneys and nourish Essence, which in turn can help the reproductive system. Seeds are great for fertility. Because we need a seed to create a seed (a fetus)!
I really love that both western and eastern nutrition recommend seeds for fertility! Below, I created a quick chart for you with the properties and functions of seeds and nuts according to TCM. My favourites are sunflowers seeds, almonds and pistachios. May be because all 3 lubricate the Large Intestine 🙂
Keep rocking it with TCM,
Clara
TCM Geek
PS: By the way, a while back, I created a Complete Fertility & TCM Treatments Course, where I talk about seed cycling. If you haven’t checked it out yet, click here for all the juicy details!
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This was very helpful, thank you!
So glad Kathy 🙂
Clara
You’re so welcome Kathy 🙂
I love your posts Clara, they’re so helpful!! I’m a TCM student from Argentina, and I’ll be graduating in december 😀 😀 😀 Super excited!!
I’ll be signing up to some of your courses as soon as I can.
I’m actually struggling with some gynecologic problems my self, so i’m going to follow this advice, my hormones are crazy right now.. I’m 27 years old and I have amenorrhea (it’s been like a year since I last had my period..), so I don’t know in what part of my cycle i’m at.. With what seed should I start?..
Thanks for being so generous and so awsome! 🙂
Greetings form the South!!
Hola Paula,
So glad you’re enjoying my posts 🙂
With amenorrhea, it’s much more complicated, and you’ll need more than just adding the seeds to your diet. Ask your teacher for help and go to your acupuncture college, student clinic, for treatment.
Keep rocking it with your TCM studies and congratulations on your upcoming graduation! 🙂
xo
Clara
Hi Clara! Thank you for your answer! I’m actually under treatment right now, mostly for liver blood stangnation and spleen deficiency, among other things, I just thought adding this seeds to my diet could be a good complement 🙂
Perfect 🙂
I had just started having the slow soaked chia seed porridge and I have been wondering if anyone knows the CM properties of them, from my bodies response I would say very similar to flax. Do you know please?
And thank you for yet another wonderful blog post 🙂
Hi Sandra,
I love Chia Seeds! You’re right, they’re great in porridge with walnuts and cinnamon: perfect fall breakfast 🙂
Their functions are to lubricate the large intestine, decrease inflammation, tonify SP to reduce cravings, Tonify Kd to prevent bone loss with aging.
Bon Appetit!
Clara
Hi Clara
nice post again
regards
is there any special seed, nut combination for women going through menopause?
Hi Debbie,
Menopause is a tricky one! But eating a wholesome healthy diet will make a huge difference. No coffee, no alcohol. Your best bet is to see an acupuncturist in your area, he/she will be able to support you through this stage of your life.
I like your site and I like your posts they amazing. Thanks for sharing the best information with us.I am very impressed with us. You made a good site it’s very interesting one and very help us.
Thanks for the love 🙂
As I get older I am finding that any form of Nuts Clara keep me coughing and burn my through so it looks like I’m becoming a little bit allergy
Seeds I still seem to be ok with.
I never had a problem eating nuts before but this is how I am now
But unlike you Meat still rocks for me Clara.
Thanks for your post Clara as always
Your Rock
Mark
Wow that’s too bad Mark! I love nuts! Maybe because I am a little nut ?
thanks so much Clara .it is very nice post because nutrition is very important in TCM.my best regards
Thank you Ayman 🙂
Hi, Clara! I am so glad to read your posts😊 I am not a TCM practitioner, but a TCM big fan. I am also a vegeterian and I am also aporoaching menopause, like you, and both nuts and seeds are very important part of my diet. I like all kind of nuts and seeds, but hemp seeds and black sesam are among my favorites. What do you think about their qualities, according to TCM ? Is there a big difference between black and white sesam seeds? Do they have any benefits for the women’s health?
Hi Nadya,
Glad you enjoy learning about TCM! Black sesame seeds according to TCM, is great to tonify the TCM kidneys, so a much better choice for menopause 🙂
Hemp is lubricating to the bowels, facilitating better stools.😍
Hallo Clara, thank you for your work and this site. I am not practitioner, just a EM/TCM fun.
I have a question – must the nuts/seed be raw, no cook, no bake?
Merry Christmas! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Rosita, it is best raw but can be baked if the person is very cold (Yang deficient).🌷
Hi, Clara!
Thank you for sharing your post. It is really usefull.
My pleasure 😍
fun & educational and beautifully done 🙂
Love that you enjoyed it! 😍✨
Thanks Clara! I love to soak Chia seeds overnight in oatmilk (I’m a vegetarian too). In the morning I put some Pumpkin seeds, vanilla and some maple syrup over it. Know I know why I love it so much! 😉
That sounds delicious, Kristien! 😍