Balancing Hormones & Reclaiming Joy with Seed Cycling

[MUSIC] Welcome to Love and La Tez, the podcast designed for women who are ready to stop settling and start living a life full of authentic love, confidence, and real connection. I'm your host, Victoria, the self-love scientist, speaker, and coach. And I'm here to help you reclaim your power, deepen your relationships, and fall unapologetically in love with yourself. So grab your tea, your latte, or your favorite beverage, and let's get started. What if your period didn't have to be painful? That mood swings are actually something that we can navigate around, and you can stop feeling exhausted. Have you ever noticed how your energy, creativity, and sometimes emotions shift with your cycle? What if we could work with these rhythms instead of against them? Well, my loves on today's episode of Love and La Tez. I'm here with Terry and Uli, two CEOs of two moons, a seed cycling company that is here to answer some of those questions today. Welcome, Terry and Uli. Thank you for having us, Victoria. Thank you very much. You're welcome. So just to kind of kick it off for anyone who's already like, what in the world? She said cycle, but now she said seed cycling. What is seed cycling? So the female cycle is often separated in two parts. The follicular phase and the luteal phase, sometimes it's actually distributed in four phases, the period, follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and then luteal phase. And essentially a different hormones that take the lead during the follicular phase. There is a rate of estrogen to lead up to ovulation, to build the uterus lining. And then after the ovulation occurs, there's actually a brief dip in estrogen. It raises at one point as well. But then there is this rate of progesterone, which actually changes the lining of the uterus to make it more receptive for a potential implantation. If that does no curve, then the period occurs again. So there are these subtle shifts every month that actually affect many parts of the body. We do know that it can affect the gut, the skin, the brain, it remodels actually every month. And there are women who tolerated very well, have absolutely no changes. And there are some women actually up to 80, 90 percent that some studies show that have certain symptoms through these different parts of the cycle. They can have cramps, pain, breast pain, headaches, memory changes, mood changes. And some of these symptoms are called PMS, or if there are more significant mood changes, it can be called PMDD. Now seed cycling is essentially the use of different seeds during each part of the cycle. So during the first two weeks, there's the use of flexids and pumpkin seeds. And during the second half, it is sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. So what do these seeds do during these two halves? So they support the estrogen in a chandelion, then during the second half, the progesterone in a chandelion, but not only. So the individual compartments of the seeds, such as the flexids, for example, they contain a little bit of foodstrogens, they contain fiber, they contain a little bit of lignans, they can support this estrogen production and also clearance. And then the pumpkin seeds are rich in certain vitamins, like vitamin E or zinc or again fiber. And then during the second half, sesame seeds again have some lignans. And then the sunflower seeds also have like different vitamins and these are all sought to support these different parts of the cycle. Now what we actually did, and Terry is the CEO of our company, we are the co-founders. We actually came up with a simplified version to make this a little bit easier to handle for all women. And we had discussions, and I think Terry might be going into this a little bit longer. We had discussions on how we could ease this. And so we actually did a survey and women said, how capsules would be actually the easiest form. So we put the seeds in a powdered form into these capsules. So we have capsules for the first half of the cycle called zest and then zendering the second half. And then we added a little bit of so-called chaspereo-vitex that is an old herb that's used since Greek ancient times to help with female symptoms and is a good remedy as well as a little bit of phthalium to help with digestion. And essentially this is seed cycling in a natural capsule. Amazing. I was just thinking about it and I remember reading some resources where it's like I shouldn't incorporate certain seeds during certain stages of the cycle. So I love that you've made it so much easier to get their intake in through capsules. That's amazing. And so aside from the seed cycling because this is about the cycles themselves, why do you think PMS and Hormol and Balance are so often dismissed as normal? Yeah, I think women's pain has often been dismissed because the world wasn't necessarily designed for us. So most of modern life workplaces, medicine, wellness, they run on the 24-hour circadian clock, right? But women, we have circadian rhythms but we also have infradian rhythms which are anything that's not on the 24-hour clock and for us that's the 28-day menstrual cycle. And we're more like, we operate more like seasons and but you know we've learned to sort of adapt and push through and flatten these waves. You know we flatten our tides into straight lines and when we feel off whether we're tired or moody or anxious it becomes framed as a flaw instead of feedback. But what if this is not a bug but a but a future, right? What if it's also a source of choreography, a source of regeneration, a source of creativity and a source of reflection being able to have these different facets to our months. And so at two months we're not trying to fix women's biology, we're working with it because when the system design finally fits the body, everything starts to move in rhythm. And I think there are outstanding outcomes for women's leadership and achieving their purpose in life when they're finally in flow. I completely agree. I feel like when we start normalizing that it's nothing to be ashamed of to have these cycles or irregular cycles but it does help to have something that is like you said we're not changing, we're just working with, we're working together alongside this different cycle. And I love how he mentioned that in today's times we are structured on this 24/7 thing when in reality that's just not how women work. And I think you were kind of almost leading into it but with the seed cycling, especially from two moons, what can people experience? Like let's say they have like the irregular cycles or the low energy. But if they were to start this journey with seed cycling, what do you hear back as a response from working consistently with this? Good question. And this is something we experienced from our early adopters and now throughout the last couple of months from more and more women which is really beautiful and very humbling to see and hear. And it is essentially designed or sought to help with these different symptoms such as headache or somewhat also insomnia or help with red-finding difficulties but also mainly with breast pain and cramps and period pain and mood swings and we conducted actually clinical study with a third party that was conducted on 40 women who took the capsules for about two months and they filled out questionnaires before starting after the first cycle and after the second cycle and we so cumulatively an improvement of certain symptoms and about 87% of women wanted to continue the capsules, 80% actually wanted to recommend it. And the beautiful thing is what they really felt was 72% of women head improvement of period related cramps and pain and also a very significant number, head improvement of mood in sleep. And so this was very encouraging to see and really great to see also objective numbers behind that. Wow that's amazing. I love the research about it being a scientist at the same time I remember myself when I would have my cycles and then getting the cramps and feeling the dip in the energies and then once I was able to balance them and only experiencing like mild like just gentle cramps nothing you know over the top or anything to keep me in bed. And I sleep really well and I think that's important about you know what you're putting into your body and then also like how you're approaching your cycle as well. If you know if someone is doing the seed cycling because I know like I think it is there is a little bit more to it as well. You know especially like when I think of your names like two moons you know it's all about a cycle and an integration but if someone I want to do seed cycling. Are there one or two other habits that you think could help with regulating healthy hormone balance that maybe perhaps you have tried or heard alongside seed cycling? We'll be back after a quick break. I've been thinking a lot about patterns lately, especially the ones that show up in our relationships. For a long time, mine looked like overgiving, people pleasing and convincing myself that if I shrink myself down just a little bit smaller, I would be enough. But knowing a pattern and actually breaking it are two very different things. And trying to untangle that alone can feel overwhelming. That's where therapy can help. Having outside support can help you recognize your patterns without judgment and make choices that actually support you. And that's why I'm grateful for today's sponsor, BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes therapy more accessible by connecting you with a licensed therapist online so you can get the right support in a way that fits your life and your schedule. Love and Matae listeners can get 10% off their first month of therapy by going to betterhelp.com/loveandlotttaste or by clicking the link in today's episode description. Breaking Cycles isn't about fixing yourself. It's about learning to love yourself differently. Personally, like what we do in our daily lives, I think sunlight, first thing in the morning, I'm out the door with my dog and we're headed to Central Park and the morning's not the same without it. And then after that, just 10 minutes of meditation, I swear by affirmations, I really think they work. And in terms of other things that we ingest, I recently started drinking holy basal tea, which I think is incredibly relaxing. And then the Dr. Jan Lyons main in my morning coffee, just for increased mental acuity. But yeah, that's me. Uli probably has a lot of secrets at her sleeve. (laughing) - Hello, no, this is so great to hear. And then we talk about these things. And yeah, there's so many little rituals and just being aware of where you are in your cycle. I think it's a very helpful thing. I indeed have two different tea combinations that I drink according to the cycle. They contain different things like passion flour, lemon balm, mugwort, lady metal, et cetera. Like it's mixed up over two weeks, two weeks. And I personally like also drinking liver detox tea here and then or on regular basis. That is a lot with milk distal. And then what I have heard, but I have not done, which is apparently really good. It's a tip and little thing to always think about is a spermin tea can also be very nice for hormonal balance. Apparently balance is testosterone very well. And other things, I like a little bit of cold water exposure. Should not be ice cold. Women don't tolerate this so well, should be just cold. And according to Terry, the same things going for walks is actually a very healthy and balancing thing. And probably really being more quiet in the weak leading up to, yeah, in the lural face to the period. Those are all amazing. I completely agree. You'll find me outside. I'm always trying to get my 10,000 steps in. And if it's raining, then I'll find the treadmill. (laughs) But I do think those are all really good. And for listeners, please make sure you go back right down some of these recommended teas. And there's also a lot of wonderful research out there. And so aside from the things that you guys swear by, I've also been following you on Instagram and I've seen a lot of wonderful things coming your way. Would you be open to sharing with our listeners? Like what has happened recently with your research and then what's coming next for two moons? I think we can share a bit about the research. And I can talk a little bit about how we're doing on campuses. So in terms of the research, as I just mentioned, we are very thrilled to have this results. And just started sharing them. And actually would also like to put it together more in a published version. And it is really exciting. And again, humbling to see how women have reacted to this and objectively see that it can have benefits. And in various ways, women say, they had better digestion or they slept better or they had better skin, they had less cramps, they felt overall better or they had a regulated cycle, which can be very helpful too to have this knowledge and to achieve that on a more regular base, on a long-term basis. And so this is the main part to publish and share this data is an extra. And in terms of the business itself, the company, along with selling direct to consumer, we're also expanding into B2B sales, so retail, partnerships with curated wellness boutiques. So that means it could be acupuncture clinics, medspas, regular spas, apothecaries. So, and we're also continuing to reframe the idea of cyclical intelligence, right? So this week I'm publishing an essay on our blog that will be followed by a few other essays by other authors on the same topic of the future of cyclical work. So how can we use what we know about the way hormones fluctuate during the cycle to do our best work, but also how can it not just be an individual responsibility, but when people think about how to design workplaces, for instance, you know, certain workplaces already function on a circadian rhythm and they think about larks and owls, right? So people who are early risers versus late riders or risers, you can start work at different times. So there's attention being paid to that or the way that, you know, how are the windows facing in a certain building for the exposure of light for the workers inside. So what if cyclical intelligence could also be something that people think about when they design workplaces, not just, you know, what time people are doing work, but even the physical design of workplaces. And I think the fact that we're able to work remotely these days, that AI is freeing up a lot of bandwidth. It's an opportunity for society to rethink beyond the regular 40 hour, nine to five work week, which was invented by Henry Ford, you know, in the last century, the early part of the last century. And now it's maybe time for an update. And now that women have moved from being one in five workers during the time of four to one in two, you know, maybe it's time to start designing for women and our natural cycles, just like we do take in accounts of Canadian rhythms in the workplace, you know, we, most people don't work in the middle of the night, for instance, right? But we power through our gluteal and menstrual weeks. So we're just very interested in kind of joining with other thought leaders. We're also doing events on campus. So in last year, we went to four business schools. We're going to Harvard Business School later this month. To do an event with our health and wellness clubs. And we're fighting that the student clubs are very receptive to conversations around hormonal health and wellness. And it's not considered contradictory to being ambitious. In fact, it's a tool for your ambition. And so I think community will always be at the center of whatever it is that we do. We really want to help women empower them. And to also bring awareness to the fact that women's health research is underfunded. And it's really an area that more light should be shown upon. Absolutely. Thank you for showing that. And I'm so excited that you're getting into the schools as well. Because I do feel like the more discussion we have, the more people feel connected around this topic, especially for women. But also, like, for men to get a better idea of what we're actually experiencing and how that's just not in alignment, that could really open up some eyes in perspective. And we could always use a little bit more of that. And as far as the workplace concerns, I think those are really great tips and advice like how they could restructure. Also, for the four days a week, where they have the five days, eight to nine hours nowadays. And some people are working more than that. I have found even across different countries. they implemented just a four day work week. And then women actually honoring their cycles. So when the menstrual cycles does come in, they block their calendars. And like, I do that as well. I block out when I know my cycles coming. I'm like, no calls. (laughs) And I implement, you know, what foods to eat? 'Cause you know, things are constantly happening in our bodies and we need to nourish them in the ways that'll make things feel a lot better. And I feel like that's how I think personally, and you guys can chime in if you'd like, but I think from implementing these smaller things, we can still have a healthier cycle, but also a cycle that we don't have to feel like, like people, I know women who just cannot stand having their cycle, like they approach it and they're like, oh, those sucks. I'm the weird one. I'm like, yay! It's a sign of good health. - Yes, really. - Truly. - And in terms of, you know, we're very curious as lifelong learners about what is the intersection between one cycle and work? You know, 'cause work means a lot to both of us, we're both very career-focused women. And one of the things we asked in the clinical study, which we can get into the results on, were about the sick days. The number of sick days people had at baseline versus after taking our product over two months. And we can report on those results. - Great, thank you. I really wanted to say the same thing right now because out of the 40 women actually prior to starting the capsule, 16 reported sick days and that was ranging from one to up to seven days related to their cycle and their period. And then after taking these two months of capsule, five women reported having some sick days. So it was really nice to see from 16 going down to five. - Where now? That's a great. - Hi. - Another thing that we always discuss and this is so great, Terry's bringing it up and I think there's so much necessity is probably not just like a four day week and as you said, Victoria, to have like days, I think Spain is doing this, where you can take up to three or four days a month that is really honoring the cycle as you said. And it may be very interesting, this shift to all this. - And also cycles have upsides, right? So just like there's a loodial, a menstrual bit of downtime there during your follicular phase, you feel like you can start 10 companies, you know? It's this rising energy and your creative and you can do all the seals pitches. You can do them all on the road. And so we don't want to just frame it as, oh, it's not just a disadvantage, it's an advantage. It's just, we have these different moods and different shades of color and it makes women it's also what gives us liveliness and but also dimension and a time to reflect and depth. And I think, so it's not, we're femy optimists basically. We have, we like to see the signier side of things. So we do want to assist women in the more painful parts of the month and reduce the pain and the bloating and the cramps and the hormonal acne and another discomfort and the mood swings. But at the same time, we think of the cycle positively and that we do think they're all so benefits and ways of thinking about it where you don't, you're not at war with your body, you know? You're in a dance with your body. So that's what we believe and part of why we want to convene women in campuses is we also want them to speak more openly about their menstrual cycles about other concerns that they have and to destigmatize the taboos around menstruation but also around certain conditions that don't get spoken about as much as they deserve. So PCOS and a metriosis, they're very, they're very common. One in five women have PCOS, one in five women have endometriosis, PMDD, 3 to 8% of women who have, PMS have PMDD, which is a very serious condition. And the fact that many women, if they don't have the condition themselves, they don't know about it, not to mention the men, but the fact that women don't even know what other women are dealing with. That to us, we're so striking as we're entering these communities and speaking to women who struggle with these conditions. And in our study, we didn't exclude women with PCOS. We didn't exclude women with endometriosis or paramanopause. And some other supplement companies in their studies, they used a much more limited age range. They didn't maybe include women beyond past stage affordee or they didn't include women with these conditions PCOS and endometriosis or paramanopause. So I think when consumers are thinking about, what's good for them, they should look very carefully to see if they were represented in the studies that were conducted on the products that are being marketed to them. So I feel very passionately about this, because I do think there is, there's somehow like, there's a gap in the education system when it comes to people do have sex ed in schools, but they don't really learn about conditions that are specific to women. And Uli can speak about how that is in the medical field. - It's a very interesting concept. There's actually an interesting book, if I may mention that here, it's all in her head that was written by a breast cancer specialist from Sloan Cantering. And it very interestingly walks through, yeah, the medical time of the last few hundred years and actually describes what the male gaze on the female body is and how much this is more of a, it's kind of like a second degree human being. And there's a very limited view on what is important in women, what is actually an ailment, what is more of truly in their head. And it's very ingrained, I think, in a lot of ways. And this is very interesting to see how that is shifting and changing and how much these, not just hormonal changes, but several other things that women go through, actually have a true objective etiology and root cause to them and how much different sensitivity to all these needs to arise and how much we all have to learn. And as in the medical community, we did not include women into clinical trials until the 90s, actually. And so there's a lot of knowledge that we need to speed up with and come to par with the male counterparts because we have so much better understanding of male physiology, male understanding of toleration of medications, et cetera. And there needs to be a little bit of a paradigm shift, but it's great to see how it happens, how it works, and how conversation around all this is really changing all this. - That's amazing. And thank you for sharing this insights. I think, as you said, we didn't really get into the study with female participants till the 90s, so we have a lot to catch up on. And just like Terry said, like women's health is still severely underfunded and when you look at the statistics, it's really, really sad. Being that you and two moons are a part of that is very exciting and for our listeners, I am gonna put two moons as website on the show notes so you can try out the products for yourself and experience, you know, give yourself at least two months because your body needs to adjust. Like that's real biology. Your system needs to adapt to these changes and see for yourself how this rebalance of your hormones can create more energy. And you also begin to honor your system. And when you honor your system, that creates more confidence and you feel a lot better about yourself. So Terry and Uli, thank you so much for coming onto the podcast and creating something for women that is going to, again, we're taking away the taboo, we're lowering the PMS and the cramps and the hormone inflectuations with something so beautiful and holistic and safe. And again, thank you so much for your time being here. - Thank you for having us, Victoria. - Thank you very much.