follicular phase essentials

as women, our bodies have this beautiful + natural tendency to follow the inner rhythms flowing w/in us

this cyclical pattern is represented by the ebb + flow of the two core synergistic energies, yin + yang, each primed to harmonize us w nourishment + creation

the follicular phase transitions us from yin to yang, w the focus of ‘planting the seed’ (both energetically w our intentions + cellularly w the creation of the egg for ovulation)

the primary purpose of this phase is to prepare our bodies for a potential pregnancy

even if this isnt a current goal of ours, its important to support fertility + our hormones, as this directly affects the health of our bodies + also regulates our internal sense of safety

hormonally, the follicular phase is marked by an increase in fsh + estrogen, along w luteinizng hormone, which are all essential in preparing the egg for ovulation

w the follicular phase being the ‘preparation period’ signaling that our body is ‘safe’, its important to manage any harsh peaks in our body that could communicate otherwise

the rise in estrogen also contributes to an increase in cortisol + insulin (meaning higher stress + blood sugar)

w each of these responses having the tendency to communicate the opposite of safety, its important to support the body’s natural detox pathways w gentle cleansing + nourishment, to return it to the radiant foundation w/in

thus creating the seed intention of the follicular phase — liver detox + egg quality support

→focus : liver detoxification + ‘prepping the egg’

-high fiber, dark leafy greens, citrus (sour foods), fermented foods, lean proteins

-vit e, zinc, + b12

veg :

artichokes, broccoli, beets, lettuce, zucchini, avocado, carrots, sprouts, parsley, asparagus, butternut squash, spinach, mushrooms, peas

fruit :

pomegranates, cherries, plums

fats/other :

oats, hemp seeds, cashews, almonds, avocados, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, olive oil, cod liver oil, seaweed, nutritional yeast, spirulina, chlorella

proteins :

liver, beef, turkey, chicken, salmon, trout, sardines, shrimp, eggs, whole milk, yogurt, lentils, chickpeas

herbs :

nettle, holy basil, licorice, parsley, hibiscus

#lemon8partner #cyclesyncing #womenshealth #hormonehealth #healingwithfood