The Cooling Formula: Herbal Support for Excess Heat and Dryness

Some bodies run hot.

Not metaphorically — literally. Night sweats that disrupt sleep. Hot flashes that arrive without warning. A persistent dryness in the pelvis that makes ordinary movement uncomfortable. These are not minor inconveniences. They are signals from a body working to find equilibrium, and they deserve a considered response.

The Cooling Formula is a proprietary peristeam blend developed in collaboration with herbalist Julia Onnie-Hay for A Loving Start. It was formulated specifically for people experiencing symptoms of excess heat or dryness — and each herb in it was chosen for its capacity to address those symptoms in a specific, evidence-informed way.

Who This Blend Is For

The Cooling Formula is most supportive for those experiencing:

• Night sweats

• Hot flashes

• Genital dryness

• Pelvic discomfort associated with heat or inflammation

• Tissue that feels depleted or in need of nourishment

These symptoms can arise at various points across the reproductive lifespan — perimenopause being a common one, but not the only one. Postpartum hormonal shifts, breastfeeding-related dryness, and chronic inflammation can all produce a similar picture.

If your body is signaling heat, dryness, or depletion in the pelvic area, this is the blend worth considering.

The Herbs

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is the foundational cooling herb in this formula. It has well-documented anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and it supports genital health and tissue rejuvenation specifically. Where other cooling herbs work systemically, hibiscus works with particular affinity for pelvic and urogenital tissues — making it a precise choice for a steam blend targeting this area.

Elder Flowers

Elder flowers are anti-inflammatory and deeply soothing. They strengthen and tone tissue while simultaneously relaxing pelvic muscles — a combination that is more specific than it sounds. The goal in addressing excess heat is not just to cool, but to restore the pelvic environment to one of balance and ease. Elder flowers support pH balance alongside their toning properties, which matters in a tissue environment that is sensitive to disruption.

Spearmint

Spearmint brings antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action alongside a specific cooling quality that is distinct from other mints. It increases skin elasticity — relevant for tissues that have become dry or less supple — and offers relief from itching and irritation. Its cooling sensation is gentle rather than sharp, appropriate for sensitive pelvic tissue.

Sage

Sage is antimicrobial, antifungal, and astringent. It increases circulation in the pelvic area, which addresses one of the root dynamics of both dryness and heat: inadequate blood flow to the tissue. Stagnant circulation produces both excess heat and tissue depletion. Sage moves things — gently, consistently, in the direction of restoration.

Mugwort

Mugwort is a circulatory herb with a long history in traditional medicine across multiple cultures. It increases circulation, eases pelvic pain, opens pores, and softens tissue. In the context of a cooling blend, it works alongside sage to ensure that the herbs' benefits are carried into the tissue effectively — that the steam is not just warming the surface but supporting the deeper circulation that underlies pelvic health.

How These Herbs Work Together

Each herb in this formula was chosen for a specific purpose, and together they address excess heat and dryness from multiple angles simultaneously.

Hibiscus and spearmint provide direct cooling and anti-inflammatory action. Elder flowers tone and balance while relaxing pelvic tissues. Sage and mugwort move circulation and soften tissue, ensuring that the cooling and nourishing properties of the other herbs reach where they are needed.

The result is a formula that does not simply suppress symptoms. It addresses the underlying dynamics — heat, inflammation, poor circulation, tissue depletion — that produce them.

Using the Cooling Formula

The Cooling Formula is used as a peristeam blend: placed in hot water, allowed to steep, and then used as described in the peristeaming instructions. Sessions should remain brief — ten to fifteen minutes — and should never feel hot or painful.

As with all four blends, individualized guidance is available. If you are uncertain whether this formula is the right match for your symptoms, a consultation is the most reliable way to find out.

The Cooling Formula is not appropriate during active heavy bleeding, fever, or infection.

A Note on Choosing the Right Blend

Symptoms do not always fall cleanly into one category. If you are experiencing heat or dryness alongside other symptoms — cyclical irregularity, discharge, or signs of infection — it may be worth a conversation before selecting a formula. The blends are designed to work precisely, and precision requires an accurate picture of what is actually present.