Ylang-Ylang essential oil is best known for its role in perfumes and beauty products, but it also has a long history of use in traditional wellness practices. Distilled from the vibrant yellow flowers of the Ylang-Ylang tree, native to the rainforests of Asia and the South Pacific, this oil is prized for its rich, sweet floral aroma. Its name comes from the Tagalong phrase ilang ilang, meaning “wild” or “wilderness” It is pronounced EE-lang EE-lang. And I will say one of the

Does your skin get super dry in the winter? I don’t know about you, but my dry scaly winter skin could give a dragon a run for its money right now. Cold air, dry indoor heat, harsh winter wind and lower humidity both inside and out all contribute to winter dry skin. The right skin care products can help, and there are other steps to take as well: Hydrate from the Inside Out- Drinking plenty of hydrating fluids is important all of the time, and of particular importance when t

If you are someone who follows trends in health and beauty through social media, chances are you have been seeing a LOT of hype about something called Glutathione. Influencers and celebrities and others have been singing its praises for everything from anti-aging to disease prevention to skin lightening. But it is truly hard to know what is true and what is just hype and what is backed by science, especially since supplements are not regulated in the US the same way that medi

Heart pounding, Sweaty palms, tossing and turning at night, shoulders pulled up around your ears, churning stomach or clenched jaws- most everyone has felt these and other symptoms of anxiety at one time or another.

One of my major goals when I started Art of Graceful Aging was to work with companies that are female founded, owned or operated, businesses that empower women, have very strong socially positive messages and companies that are very earth friendly. I have been very privileged to work with some very special companies that align with my own values, and Bears with Benefits is one of those. I only promote companies that I have used, and I love Bears with Benefits! Bears with Bene

When I started this blog about graceful aging, some of my goals were to learn about and share information, ideas and products that I thought would interest and help women in the perimenopausal and menopausal age group (including me) with issues that we commonly experience. One topic I have been researching and learning a lot about is the essential oils. Essential oils have been used in healing, health and beauty for thousands of years, but I never knew the extent of their ben

Vitamin D is an extremely important fat-soluble vitamin that has a crucial role in many vital processes in the body, yet Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are extremely common. As a matter of fact, Vitamin D deficiency is a global wide issue, with a billion or more people worldwide, and up to 42% of people in the US estimated to be Vitamin D deficient. But the good news here is that Vitamin D deficiency is treatable and preventable.   What Is Vitamin D and What Does it D

I wanted to start my Supplement Savvy Series with Magnesium Supplements. I feel like Magnesium is a supplement that many people are familiar with, but because there are so many different types and formulations of magnesium with a lot of different names, picking the right one can be confusing, even overwhelming.  So, what is Magnesium?   Magnesium is a mineral that is involved with hundreds (300+) of bodily functions, including muscle activity, bone health, nerve transmission,

I have been in Women’s Healthcare for many years. Back when I first started, a cutting-edge supplement might be something like a multivitamin specifically formulated for women over fifty or a combination calcium with vitamin D.  But a lot of things have changed over the years, and the supplement market is one of those things.  Today there is an absolutely mind-boggling array of all kinds of supplements promising all kinds of benefits. I think that there are many reasons why t

I think that most people are familiar with the popular herb Cilantro and the famous spice Coriander. These two things actually come from the same plant. While Coriander, as the spice, is famous worldwide, not as many people are aware of its health benefits as an essential oil.  Coriander essential oil is extracted from the seeds of the cilantro/coriander plant through steam distillation. It has been used for many years in both traditional and Ayurvedic medicine and is known f

One of the things that I wanted to accomplish when I started Art of Graceful Aging was to highlight and support businesses that were...

If there is an essential oil that could be considered a powerhouse, I think it would be peppermint oil. Peppermint is very widely known...

In my daily practice as a Nurse Practitioner in total women’s health , I talk to a lot of senior women about issues concerning menopause...

I have always enjoyed essential oils for their fragrances, but my experience in the past was limited to those oils that I thought smelled...

From the time I was a very little girl, I associated a certain fragrance with my beautiful mother. Even after she passed away, I could...