National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy

08/11/2025

PhytoCann Summits is pleased to have NAHA President, Annette George Davis present her lecture "Formulating With Aromatherapy Essential Oils
And Other Difficult Phyto-Actives" on November 8, 2025.

“While essential oils and other phyto-actives are exceptional ingredients to include in personal care products and dietary supplements, their unique chemistry presents many formulating challenges. Without the necessary expertise, well-intentioned essential oil blends can cause personal care products to separate or irritate and sensitize the skin. Well-meaning oral preparations can cause GI irritation or even toxicity.

This presentation will review the rationale behind including essential oils and other challenging phyto-actives in various formulations. It will also draw on over thirty years of Annette’s formulating experience, offering valuable tips to help avoid aromatherapy compounding disasters.”

www.phytocann.org

08/11/2025

When you purchase an in-person conference pass to Beyond Aromatics 2025, the 2025 Signature Roll-On, Joy Synergy, will be included in your Goodie Bag! 🩷

💫Joy Synergy: A beautiful blend of rose, sandalwood, neroli, magnolia, and frankincense essential oils in a base of nourishing jojoba oil.

This exclusive synergy was artfully formulated by NAHA President, Annette Davis. Its uplifting bouquet of exotic essential oils is designed to inspire peace, calm, and joy. Available only as a special gift for live conference attendees who register by September 1st, 2025.

All live attendees will also receive a generous goodie bag filled with curated aromatherapy samples.

Interested in contributing to the conference goodie bag? We welcome your support! Please contact info@naha.org for donation details. 💚

Register Here! https://naha.org/store/entry/beyond-aromatics-2025-tickets

08/09/2025

Beyond Aromatics 2025
October 23rd-25th
Empowered Healing: How Herbalists Without Borders Fosters Health Justice Through Community Engagement
with Denise Cusack (Digital Presenter)

"Join Denise Cusack, Executive Director of Herbalists Without Borders, as she delves into the organization’s unique approaches to fostering health justice and empowering communities. This presentation explores how HWB’s member and chapter-based model creates sustainable programs that support underserved populations through community outreach, education, and empowerment models. Denise will highlight HWB’s work in addressing immediate needs through disaster response and relief, as well as in building long-term resilience through herbalism, aromatherapy, and other holistic practices. Attendees will learn how they can get involved and contribute to these impactful initiatives, creating pathways for health equity and empowerment within their own communities."
More about Denise:
"Denise Cusack is the Executive Director of Herbalists Without Borders, a global nonprofit dedicated to holistic health and wellness support for communities in need. As a hands-on leader, Denise organizes relief efforts, trains volunteer coordinators, and operates HWB’s US Donation Network and Seed Grant program, ensuring essential supplies reach underserved communities through free clinics, outreach, and education. In addition to the daily management of HWB, she is a clinical herbalist, certified aromatherapist, flower essence practitioner, and permaculture designer. At her Wholly Rooted Farm, a United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary, Denise cultivates diverse medicinal and aromatic herbs. Actively involved with HWB since 2017, she is deeply committed to empowering communities through health justice and sustainable support. Learn more at www.hwbglobal.org."

Meet Conference Speakers: https://conference.naha.org/speakers
Conference Information: https://conference.naha.org/
Reserve your Hotel Room: https://conference.naha.org/travel/hotel

08/08/2025

Integrating Aromatherapy Holistic Health Solutions Into Corporate Wellness Programs
with Talley Sjoberg Varney

"In an era where employee well-being is paramount, incorporating holistic aromatics into corporate wellness programs offers a unique opportunity to enhance workplace culture and productivity. This workshop is designed to equip wellness coordinators and aromatherapists with effective strategies for presenting and selling the benefits of holistic aromatics to corporate stakeholders.
In this interactive workshop, we will cover essential techniques for crafting compelling presentations that resonate with decision-makers, including data-driven insights, real-world case studies, and engaging storytelling. Additionally, the workshop will provide practical tools for integrating aromatic practices into existing wellness initiatives to increase marketing stickiness. Attendees will explore methods for creating impactful pilot programs, engaging employees through interactive workshops, and measuring success through feedback, and leveraging that feedback for greater gain.
By the end of the session, participants will be empowered to advocate for holistic aromatics as a vital component of corporate wellness, fostering a healthier and more productive work environment. Join us to unlock the potential of holistic aromatics and enhance your corporate wellness offerings!"
More about Talley:
"Talley Sjoberg-Varney is the founder of Clearly Sage Advice & Organics, LLC. She is a NAHA Level 3 Clinical Aromatherapist and has been in education & holistic health for 25 years. She is a licensed social worker, certified educational & life coach and MBSR instructor. She worked for ten years with Native communities in the United States and three years in refugee health. In her work, Talley facilitates mental health sessions, life-coaching sessions, Access Consciousness treatments, meditation and clinical aromatherapy sessions. In her clinical consultations, she incorporates tools from aromatherapy, meditation, and mental health. In her work as a subject matter expert for International SOS in psycho-social workplace wellness, Talley delivers mental-health and wellbeing workshops to the corporate, diplomatic and education sectors globally. She is honored to be presenting at the NAHA 2025 conference."

Meet Conference Speakers: https://conference.naha.org/speakers
Conference Information: https://conference.naha.org/
Reserve your Hotel Room: https://conference.naha.org/travel/hotel

08/08/2025

Our Conference Theme:
Honoring our Aromatic Heritage: Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Science
This conference brings together a wealth of knowledge, experience and inspiration for conserving our aromatic roots and strengthening their use with advanced holistic health practices, both personally and professionally. Our goal is to share unique presentations that will inspire and educate you in a range of holistic practices, approaches, as well as to advance the field of aromatherapy.

We invite you to attend this exciting, inspiring, and educational conference.

- Advance your knowledge and application of essential oils.
- CE Hours for Massage Therapists will be available.
- Learn, laugh, share, and network with fellow practitioners and others.
- Ticket price includes access to the live conference filled with presentations from leading figures in aromatherapy, as well as access to conference video content forever.
- Digital Ticket includes Livestream to all Beyond Aromatics 2025 Presentations and access to all 2023 NAHA Conference Presentation Recordings.

Register for our Beyond Aromatics 2025 Conference & Tradeshow Here:
https://naha.org/store/category/beyond-aromatics-2025
October 23rd-25th 2025
in Tampa, Florida
We hope to see you there!

08/07/2025

NAHA Summer Aromatherapy Journal 2025.2 is now available! So many amazing articles in this issue! 💚 Huge thanks to the writers and journal team for putting this together!

NAHA Members can access this journal through their account page: https://naha.org/account

Non-Members can purchase here: https://naha.org/store/entry/naha-summer-aromatherapy-journal-2025.2-green-grasses-issue

NAHA Membership starts at $50 per year! https://naha.org/membership/become-a-member/

08/06/2025

Roommate Finder

We are excited to welcome you to our 2025 World of Aromatherapy Conference, taking place in Tampa, Florida, from October 23 to 25, 2025!

As a courtesy to our conference attendees, NAHA is offering to assist individuals in connecting with others who may be interested in sharing hotel accommodations.
Please note that while we are happy to facilitate these introductions, NAHA is not responsible or liable for any arrangements, interactions, behaviors, or outcomes that may result from these connections. All participants are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence and making their own decisions regarding shared accommodations. By requesting assistance with finding a roommate, you acknowledge and accept full responsibility for any risks involved.

Introduce yourself: https://naha.org/applications/conference-roommate/

We're excited to see you there!

08/06/2025

NAHA Live Webinar
August 14th at 1pm Mountain Time

"How a Small-Scale Distillery in New Mexico Is Creating a Local Essential Oil Supply Chain"
with Jah Skipper

"Discover how a small-scale distillery in New Mexico is producing locally sourced essential oils by navigating the real-world challenges of plant access, water scarcity, and small-batch distillation. This talk explores the practical steps—and occasional setbacks—in building a traceable, regionally based supply chain in the American Southwest. From seed to bottle, the path an oil takes is often unclear in today’s global market. We’ll look at what it takes to go from a consumer to a maker of essential oils the journey these plants and oils take.

More about Jah:
Jah is formally trained as a botanist and environmental scientist (MSc). Having grown up on an aromatic plant and wine farm in France, he has worked across the herb industry—as a botany teacher, quality control botanist, and, for the past two years, as the distiller and farmer behind the family project Forgotten Plants in New Mexico."

NAHA Member Access: https://naha.org/account
Non-Member Access: https://naha.org/store/entry/how-a-small-scale-distillery-in-new-mexico-is-creating-a-local-essential-oil-supply-chain-jah-skipper-webinar

08/05/2025

Aromatherapy Support for Individuals with Trisomy 21: From Biochemistry to Skincare

Katherine Gentil is one of the Digital Presenters for our Beyond Aromatics 2025 Conference & Tradeshow.

Individuals with Trisomy 21 (T21) commonly known as Down syndrome, can benefit greatly from the use of aromatherapy. With having an extra 21st chromosome, these individuals present with specific differences in their biochemistry. Understanding the foundational physiological differences in clients with T21 can assist in providing holistic care. This lecture will provide an overview on the impact of the extra chromosome that generates chronic oxidative stress and inflammation, with a focus on impacts on the central nervous system health and skin. Aromatherapy is a great holistic option to address everyday needs especially for skin care. It will also cover unique safety considerations and administration approaches to consider for those in the T21 community.

More about Kathy:

Kathy is a retired US Air Force officer and has dedicated her time since retirement to care for her children, most notably her medically complex son who has Down syndrome, autism, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), among a few other medical challenges. She began her journey using aromatherapy in 2014 and after some time in self-study, she completed the graduate level certificate of aromatherapy from American College of Healthcare Sciences. She went on to receive clinical level training through Rhiannon Lewis’ Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy Level 1 course, and continues to learn through many in-person and online courses.

Parallel to her aromatherapy journey, in 2015 she was introduced to the Trisomy 21 Research group which focused on the biochemistry of Trisomy 21, and how the over expressed genes on the extra 21st chromosome impact health. Research was geared toward nutraceutical approaches to help reduce the impact long term.

Register for our Beyond Aromatics 2025 Conference & Tradeshow Here:
https://naha.org/store/category/beyond-aromatics-2025
October 23rd-25th 2025
in Tampa, Florida
We hope to see you there!

08/04/2025

Andrea was an inspiration to all who knew her. Rest in peace, beautiful soul! 🙏💜

Honoring Andrea Butje: A Life of Love, Purpose, and Plant Wisdom

Dear Aromahead Community,

It is with full hearts that we honor the life of Andrea Butje, teacher, visionary, pioneer, and beloved founder of Aromahead Institute.

Andrea passed peacefully in her home after a brave journey, surrounded by love. Her legacy, however, is anything but quiet. It is bold, beautiful, and far-reaching.

Andrea was a force of nature. She never did anything casually. She poured her whole heart into every corner of her life. One year, she and her beloved partner Cindy decided to plant lilies around their home in upstate New York. Most would plant a few. Andrea planted hundreds. That was her way. Wholehearted. Devoted. Vibrant.

The same was true of her work with essential oils. She didn’t just learn about them. She transformed the standards of the entire field. She championed transparency in sourcing, insisting on GC/MS reports long before it was common. She advocated fiercely for sustainability and purity. She supported distillers who cared for the land and the plants as much as she did.

Andrea traveled the world to learn, to teach, and to connect. She created curriculum that empowered millions. Her voice shaped a generation of aromatherapists and will continue to shape many more to come. Her passion for teaching was unmatched. She could take the science of essential oils and make it feel personal, accessible, and alive.

But it wasn’t just the way she worked. It was the way she loved.

Andrea truly saw people. She gave her time, her presence, her encouragement. She was intuitive and spiritual, always curious about the world. She was grounded and radiant, a woman who loved to cook, to write, to laugh, and to explore. The beach and the high desert were two of her favorite places.

Most of all, she loved Cindy. In her book The Heart of Aromatherapy, she dedicated it simply and beautifully:

"For my Cindy, In this vast universe, you are my home. I love and adore you."

Andrea’s legacy lives on in every blend we make, every oil we choose with care, and every student who finds confidence and healing through this work. She changed the landscape of aromatherapy, and she changed lives.

She changed our lives.

As we process this loss together, we invite you to light a candle, diffuse your favorite essential oil, and take a moment to feel Andrea’s presence. She is in the beauty of the plants, in the intention of the work, and in the hearts of all of us who carry her spirit forward.

If you would like to join us in honoring Andrea, we invite you to share a memory, a story, or something you loved about her in this post.

In place of flowers, a donation fund will be set up in honor of Andrea. Contributions will go toward supporting causes close to the hearts of both Andrea and Cindy. Details will follow in the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for being part of this community that Andrea loved so deeply.

With love and deep gratitude,
Karen and Jenny, and the entire Aromahead team