Denise Cusack
Aromatherapy Certification Program graduate“work with the plants and leave the world a better place than we found it.”
How Denise teaches through a permaculture lens.
Denise is a hands on and passionate educator, facilitator, and speaker, bringing permaculture principles, environmentalism, and ethical ecology to the subject of herbalism, aromatherapy, and regenerative health and wellness.
Denise has volunteered with Herbalists Without Borders since 2017, serving as the US Donation Distribution Coordinator, US Seed Grant Coordinator, Without Borders Magazine Editor, and on the HWB Board of Directors. Denise also served as HWB Executive Director from 2017-2022.
I use my aromatherapy and herbalism experience to help communities create models of care to serve the underserved and respond to natural disasters and crises. This work includes creating community models, educating people, and empowerment tools for communities to use. I also volunteer as Clinical Herbalist and Aromatherapist at the Veterans Resiliency Holistic Clinic, serving veterans who have experienced PTSD.
Denise lives at Wholly Rooted Permaculture and Regenerative Education Farm, an UpS Botanical Sanctuary, with her family and hundreds of species of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Wholly Rooted Regenerative Education & Permaculture Farm
Denise Cusack is a clinical regenerative herbalist, certified aromatherapist, and a certified permaculture designer, with over 23 years of experience in the natural health and wellness community.
She knows we can all take steps to be more regenerative in our homes, businesses, and communities, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and businesses on their journey to sustainability.
Wholly Rooted is an UpS Botanical Sanctuary, preserving at-risk medicinals and growing over 250 types of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Denise loves making and creating and is a writer, artist, herb grower, plant dyer, natural perfume maker, clay molder, chicken whisperer, hydrosol distiller, and bread baker.
I *really* love the science and chemistry behind essential oils and this course had enough science to really keep me enthralled every step of the way. The instructors are truly passionate and excited about aromatherapy and that makes the coursework and webinars so joyful. And --- I can't say enough good things about my case study instructor.
What made the difference, in Denise’s words.
Denise came in with decades of plant experience and a love of science. Here is what the program gave her, in her own words.
Science that satisfies
A curriculum with enough real chemistry to hold a science lover the whole way.
this course had enough science to really keep me enthralled every step of the way.
Joy is part of the teaching
Instructors who love the subject make the coursework feel like it.
The instructors are truly passionate and excited about aromatherapy and that makes the coursework and webinars so joyful.
Coached into confidence
Case-study feedback that builds you up until you are ready for real clients.
I can't say enough good things about my case study instructor. Her feedback, support, and guidance really boosted my confidence and motivated me to improve and expand as I progressed. I feel prepared and qualified to work with clients.
A clear path, one step at a time.
Denise is a graduate of the Aromatherapy Certification (Pathway 3), earning her Certified Professional Aromatherapist credential. It is a cumulative path: each step includes everything before it, and you can climb as far as you like, at your own pace. See the full path →
Start where Denise started.
Denise folded her certification into twenty-plus years of herbalism, permaculture, and teaching, and now trains others to work with plants ethically. Your first pathway is free, and your Pathway 1 dashboard opens right away.
