Our institute

Our mission is to change lives with aromatherapy.

Aromahead Institute is one of the world’s most recognized, scientifically backed aromatherapy schools. For more than 25 years we have taught the art and science of essential oils with real chemistry, honest safety, and a simple belief: anyone can learn this.

See what our students say

Karen & Jenny Williams · lavender harvest

In our students’ words

What 29,000+ students keep telling us.

Over the last few decades, our students have written us thousands of course reviews, community posts, and graduate stories. The same six themes come up again and again. Here is a small sampling, in their own words.

The joy of learning

“The teachers present information in a professional manner, seasoned with a bit of humor which makes learning fun.”

Heidi Howald · Aromahead graduate

Support that shows up

“First of all, the whole Aromahead team provided warm and understanding support for me during the entire year of my course.”

Martha L. King · Aromahead graduate

Taught for every learning style

“Aromahead provided me with a flexible learning environment, a variety of learning modalities (visual and hands-on), and the teachers were so helpful and provided great feedback on case studies, the paper, and the exam.”

Suzanne Koett · Aromahead graduate

Science you can trust

“What I appreciated most about Aromahead was its strong foundation in evidence-based education. The emphasis on essential oil chemistry, safety, and responsible formulation set the tone for a truly professional learning experience.”

Carrie Beth Winfield · Aromahead graduate

Anyone can learn this

“I found the whole course to be very thorough and written in such a way that anyone can really understand it. Not having a background in the sciences, I was concerned about the Anatomy and Physiology part of the course. That too was explained in layman's terms and in a practical way that made it easy to retain.”

Shelayne Fico · Aromahead graduate

A community around you

“I received excellent education, encouragement, love, and support from the instructors and the student forum while working on my Aromatherapy Certification Program. My aromatherapy journey has been transformational and a lot of fun!”

Maria Gray · Aromahead graduate

Every quote is verbatim, from a named Aromahead graduate.

The aha moment

“I really enjoyed learning about the science behind the oils. After many years of self-study and numerous courses, it all finally made sense. The team is committed to giving the best possible and up-to-date information in a very accessible way.”

Janet McRobbie · graduate

Over the decades

A few things we helped make normal.

Some of what students now expect from every aromatherapy education started here.

We put GC/MS reports in students’ hands.

Long before batch-specific GC/MS testing was something buyers asked about, Aromahead students were learning to read the report behind every oil. Knowing exactly what is in the bottle became a habit our graduates carried into the wider industry.

“Before the course, I never heard of a GC/MS report or had a clue how powerful essential oils can be.”Linda Glantz, graduate

We made essential oil chemistry welcoming.

Components like linalool and limonene are the heart of how essential oils work, so we refused to skip them. We built a way of teaching chemistry in plain language, with real oils on the table, and the aha moments followed.

“The engaging videos, open forum, fun chemistry, and quality tools with which to learn made my experience a strong foundation on which to stand.”Raschelle Feller, graduate

We sourced from the people who grow the plants.

From the beginning, Aromahead built friendships with small-scale distillers and farmers across Morocco, France, South Africa, and Canada. Our students learn why sustainable sourcing matters, down to the field and the season.

The Aromahead Approach™

Three promises, every course.

The Aromahead Approach™ has always been about simplifying complex aromatherapy concepts to make learning fun, engaging, and approachable for all.

Making Sense of Complex Topics

Chemistry, anatomy, and safety are taught in plain language, one idea at a time, until they feel like common sense. When a topic is complex, we slow down and light the way. You never need a science background to start.

Learning that Captivates

Videos, transcripts, hands-on blending, live events, quizzes, and real client work: every course teaches in several styles at once, so the way you learn best is already built in.

Approachable for All

From your first drop to clinical practice, the door is open at every step. Students join us from every background and more than 150 countries, and the coursework meets each of them where they are.

Karen Williams & Jennifer Williams · owners & instructors

25+

Years teaching aromatherapy

29,000+

Students

150+

Countries

13,273+

Certification students

Recognized by

NAHAAIAIFPAAADPIICT

Your lead instructors

Meet Karen and Jenny.

Karen Williams

Lead Instructor & Director of Aromatherapy Education

“I got my start many years ago as a registered nurse working in the hospital system. But along the way I discovered essential oils, and my approach to life changed forever.”

That discovery became decades of teaching. Today Karen leads the curriculum across all four Pathways, writes and teaches the certification coursework, and still reviews student case studies alongside her instructor team.

Registered NurseCertified AromatherapistSchool Owner

Jenny Williams

Instructor & Director of Student Experience

“I bring my love of education and aromatherapy together to help students thrive. With a background in teaching, I know how important it is to feel supported while learning something new. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing students gain confidence, refine their skills, and turn their passion into something meaningful.”

Jenny designed the student experience end to end, from your first free course to your certificate, and hosts the weekly lives where students blend along in real time.

M.Ed.Certified Aromatherapistco-Owner

Jenny Williams, Director of Student Experience at Aromahead Institute, holding an amber essential oil bottle

The team beside you

The people who answer, guide, and cheer you on.

When you submit a case study or research paper, ask a question on the forum, or write to us stuck on a lesson, a certified aromatherapist on this team answers. Most of them are Aromahead graduates themselves.

“My experience with my case study mentor (Michele) was absolutely stellar. The feedback was specific and valuable, and I learned so much.”

Heidi Villegas · graduate (yes, that Michele, below)

Mina Napolitano

Director of Student Services

Mina found aromatherapy through a gifted box of oils and never looked back. She is the first friendly answer most students meet, from enrollment to graduation.

Ann Lohr

Case Study Instructor

Ann came to aromatherapy from microbiology. She guides students through their hands-on case studies, all the way into the Scholars Program.

Shelia Murray

Director of Team Operations

Shelia moved from Western medicine into holistic practice. She keeps the school running and guides students carefully through their case studies.

Michele Mazur

Case Study Instructor

A certified aromatherapist who crafts natural body care, Michele reads student case studies with the specific, generous feedback graduates rave about.

Kuan Nee See

Forum Instructor

Migraines led Kuan to aromatherapy, and certification led her to teaching. She educates in Singapore and answers student questions on our forum.

Dana Selzer

Forum Instructor

After a 40-year teaching career, Dana found a second calling in aromatherapy. She supports students on the private forum.

Our story

Founded on a smile in 1998.

Aromahead began with two teachers, Andrea Butje and Cindy Black, who chose the name because it made them smile. Everything that followed kept that spirit.

1998

Two teachers and a name that made them smile.

Andrea Butje and Cindy Black found Aromahead, teaching aromatherapy and anatomy in person, one classroom at a time.

2000s

Aromatherapy education goes online.

Aromahead becomes one of the first schools to teach essential oil studies on the internet, and free courses open the door for thousands of new students.

2013

A milestone year.

The school goes fully online, and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists honors Andrea with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

2016

Recognition across the field.

IFPA approval joins NAHA and AIA. Aromahead graduates can now qualify for every major credential in aromatherapy.

2025

We say goodbye to Andrea.

Andrea passed away peacefully in August 2025. Her teachings and videos remain woven through the school, a lasting gift to the aromatherapy world.

Today

A family carries it forward.

Karen and Jenny Williams lead Aromahead: a family, a small team of certified instructors, and one mission, changing lives with aromatherapy.

Andrea Butje

Founder · LMT

Helping students master the art and science of essential oils was Andrea’s passion and life’s work. Her teachings and videos remain here as a way to honor her lasting gift to the aromatherapy world.

AIA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2013Author, The Heart of Aromatherapy

Cindy Black

co-Founder · L.Ac., LMT

With roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cindy co-founded Aromahead and created its Anatomy & Physiology coursework. She also pioneered Meridian Massage.

Founder, Meridian MassageAnatomy & Physiology

Our founders’ story lives on this page with gratitude. Today’s courses are taught and supported by Karen, Jenny, and the instructor team above.

Where students end up

1,045 graduate stories and counting.

“Aromahead Institute takes you far beyond "my friend told me to use this oil" to an understanding of the chemistry and physiology of how essential oils function to aid in natural healing.”

Terri Sixta · Certified Aromatherapist

“Aromahead has indeed changed my life! It is the absolute best investment I could have made for myself as I move forward toward a career in Aromatherapy.”

Kathie Maxwell · Certified Aromatherapist

“The ACP and AGP has not only increased my knowledge, skills, and abilities as a certified, clinical aromatherapist, but also increased my confidence and has shown me to trust my intuition.”

Marynka Muckey · Certified Clinical Aromatherapist

Meet our graduates

Change a life with aromatherapy. Start with yours.

Pathway 1 begins with a free course, taught the same way everything here is taught: real science, plain language, and someone beside you.

Start Pathway 1 free

No credit card. Your first course is free, and yours to keep.