Balancers in Transition: Herbs for Hormonal Support and Circulatory Wellness

By Claudia Barton, BCBA, LBA, CTP

Life is full of transitions — from adolescence to adulthood, from perimenopause into menopause, from seasons of stress to seasons of rest. These transitions can place stress on both the skin and the nervous system. Certain herbs have long been trusted to support circulation, balance hormones, and ease the body through change.

I call these the Balancers in Transition — plants that not only help the body adapt, but also remind us that change can be supported with care, not feared. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), I see these rituals as reinforcement: small acts of consistency that help the body regulate during periods of fluctuation.

Here are seven of the most important Balancers in Transition: Red Clover Blossoms, Nettle Leaf, Rosemary, Gotu Kola, Cramp Bark, Mexican Hand Tree, and Palo Azul.

Red Clover Blossoms: Gentle Hormonal Balance

Red clover contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. This makes it especially supportive for women during perimenopause and menopause, when estrogen levels begin to fluctuate. It helps reduce hot flashes, ease skin dryness, and promote overall hormonal balance.

Energetically, red clover is nurturing and soft. It reminds us that transitions can be met with gentleness, not resistance. For the nervous system, it offers reassurance that cycles are natural and can be supported with care.

In Luna & Lavender™ hormone-supporting blends, red clover becomes a steady ally, helping the skin and body adapt gracefully to change.

Nettle Leaf: Mineral-Rich Strength

Nettle is a powerhouse of minerals — iron, calcium, magnesium, and silica — all essential for strong skin, hair, and bones. It improves circulation and supports detoxification, which benefits both skin clarity and overall vitality.

Symbolically, nettle teaches boundaries. Its sting demands respect, yet when prepared, it nourishes deeply. For the nervous system, it reinforces the lesson that strength and softness can exist together.

In Luna & Lavender™ balms and infusions, nettle leaf supports resilience in the skin and grounding in the body.

Rosemary: Circulation and Clarity

Rosemary stimulates blood flow, supporting scalp health, hair growth, and skin renewal. It is also rich in antioxidants, protecting the skin from oxidative stress.

Energetically, rosemary sharpens memory and focus. It is a plant of clarity and vitality, offering the nervous system a refreshing sense of alertness and balance.

In Luna & Lavender™ Rosemary Hair Balm, this herb becomes a daily ritual that not only nourishes hair but also uplifts mood and focus through scent.

Gotu Kola: Renewal and Firmness

Gotu kola is revered in Ayurveda as a herb of longevity. It stimulates collagen production, repairs connective tissue, and supports firm, resilient skin. For circulation, it strengthens blood vessels and improves microcirculation, which helps with healing and skin elasticity.

On an emotional level, gotu kola symbolizes wisdom and renewal. It bridges body and spirit, teaching us that transitions are opportunities for growth.

In Luna & Lavender™ Firming Gotu Kola Balm, this herb is transformed into a tool for skin elasticity and a reminder of inner resilience.

Cramp Bark: Release and Relief

Cramp bark has long been used to ease muscle tension and menstrual discomfort. It relaxes smooth muscles, helping to reduce cramps, spasms, and stress held in the body.

Emotionally, cramp bark teaches release. It encourages us to let go of what we hold too tightly — whether physical tension or emotional strain. For the nervous system, it offers calm and relief.

In Luna & Lavender™ circulation and hormone blends, cramp bark supports both physical comfort and emotional ease.

Mexican Hand Tree (Flor de Manita): Heart and Hormonal Support

The Mexican hand tree, or Flor de Manita, is traditionally used to support the heart and circulatory system. It also has a reputation for easing anxiety and supporting women during hormonal changes.

Energetically, it represents the open hand — offering balance, care, and connection. For the nervous system, it brings a sense of being held.

In Luna & Lavender™ hormone-supporting products, Flor de Manita becomes a gentle ally for emotional and physical balance.

Palo Azul (Kidney Wood): Cleansing and Transition

Palo Azul, or kidney wood, is known for supporting kidney health, fluid balance, and detoxification. It helps the body clear what it no longer needs, which benefits both skin clarity and systemic balance.

Energetically, Palo Azul teaches purification. It reminds us that letting go is a part of transition, and that cleansing opens space for renewal.

In Luna & Lavender™ wellness blends, Palo Azul offers both physical detox and emotional clarity.

Closing Reflection

The Balancers in Transition — Red Clover, Nettle, Rosemary, Gotu Kola, Cramp Bark, Flor de Manita, and Palo Azul — remind us that change can be met with balance, not chaos. They ease circulation, support hormones, and calm the nervous system, offering both physical and emotional stability during life’s shifting seasons.

Behavioral Wellness Tip:
Pair a hormone- or circulation-supporting balm with a daily grounding ritual, like slow breathing or journaling. Consistency reinforces balance both in body and mind.


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The Science Behind Health & Wellness

Why behavior matters. Why healing is possible. Why small steps work.

When we think of health and wellness, we often think of the body — nutrition, sleep, hydration, movement. But at the core of every lasting change is something deeper: behavior.

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), I view health and wellness through a scientific and compassionate lens. I don’t just ask what someone is doing — I ask why.

That’s where the real healing starts.

Why Behavior Matters in Wellness

Every time you choose to care for yourself — by applying a salve, setting down your phone, or pausing to breathe — you’re engaging in a behavior. These actions might seem small, but over time, they shape patterns. Patterns become habits. Habits become a lifestyle.

Behavior analysis teaches us that change doesn’t happen all at once — it happens one moment at a time, with reinforcement, consistency, and care.

The Nervous System & Trauma-Informed Support

For many of us, especially those with trauma histories, even the simplest self-care routines can feel overwhelming or unfamiliar. That’s why trauma-informed care matters. It reminds us that healing isn’t just about doing more — it’s about feeling safe enough to begin.

Behavioral wellness honors the body’s signals, works with the nervous system, and builds safety through predictable, gentle routines. When we approach wellness with compassion and structure, we help the body and mind slowly unlearn survival and relearn connection.

The Foundation of Behavior-Based Wellness

In behavior science, we use tools like:

  • Reinforcement to encourage healthy habits (rewarding what we want to see more of)
  • Prompting and shaping to help build routines gradually
  • Environmental design to make wellness easier and more accessible
  • Data and reflection to track what’s working — and why

These aren’t just clinical strategies. They can show up in your daily life as:

  • A lavender roller next to your bed to signal rest
  • A gentle balm you use after brushing your teeth to mark the end of your day
  • A sensory spray that helps your child transition more smoothly
  • A mantra you whisper each morning as a private moment of grounding

Why This Matters

Because true wellness isn't about extremes.
It’s about repeatable, nourishing actions that help you feel more like yourself.

And the science is clear: when we build wellness routines around behavior, not pressure, we make healing more accessible — for children, for parents, for everyone.

This is the foundation of my work and the intention behind every product I create. I want to help you feel safe in your routines, confident in your care, and connected to the deeper why behind the choices you make.

Mini Mantra:

“Small acts. Safe patterns. Lasting change.”

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