ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The study of aromatherapy is, at its essence, about relationships. It’s about nourishing a relationship with aromatic plants, essential oils, and the natural world, as well as enhancing your relationship with yourself, your dreams and your community.
The School for Aromatic Studies was founded because of how fascinated, inspired and moved we were by those discoveries in ourselves; that’s why our experience—and our curriculum—goes far beyond the chemistry of oils to include all the ways in which you experience aromatherapy, from scent to memory, from emotion to energy. We started our journey as one of the first aromatherapy schools in the U.S. back in 1990. From that beginning, our mission was to offer a balanced, progressive and inspiring approach to aromatherapy education.
Our Credentials
- NAHA approved School
- Organization Member of United Plant Savers (UPS)
- Academic Member of the American Botanical Council
- Massage Therapy NCBTMB Continuing Education Provider
Pioneering the Evolution of Aromatic Medicine
For years there has been a commonly held belief in the aromatherapy community that essential oils should never be used internally. In fact, however, essential oils have and are used safely and effectively internally and as an adjunct to herbal therapies in France for years! Even in the U.S., they are even found now and clearly identified in the ingredient lists of dietary supplements in retail stores.
Feeling strongly the incongruence in the aromatherapy field between the truth of active ongoing safe and successful internal use and the widely spoken fears in the aromatherapy community, the School for Aromatic Studies had become committed to representing truth and balance along with education on this topic.
Why the term French Aromatherapy for Aromatic Medicine? As described in Kurt Schnaubelt’s wonderful book The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils, "the identification of 'French Aromatherapy' has long been an art which focused on the use of essential oils to support the healing from infectious illnesses including internal applications such as suppositories, pessaries, medicinal pastilles, syrups and so on."
Our school has been instrumental in bringing the French approach, Aromatic medicine, to the U.S. understanding that essential oils can and should be used in many ways, if used with common sense and plant knowledge. Interested in learning more: French Aromatherapy Certification Course for Aromatic Medicine.
Uniquely Collaborative Approach
We’re equally distinct in forging relationships with herbalists, sharing knowledge to elevate each of our disciplines, honoring what we have in common, then building upon and expanding the practice of aromatherapy.
Understanding that we are strengthened by diversity, we strive to bring together the best of the skilled and talented experts in a variety of expressions within this and related fields.
Each brings something unique to the study, offering their unique perspective to engage our diverse variety of students: healing perspectives, chemical properties, herbal integration, sensory applications, applications for end of life, emotional health and more.
“Plants mean nothing in isolation; they are a life-form rooted in and identified by their community, by their relationship to and interactions with all other life on Earth.”
- Stephen Harrod Buhner in The Lost Language of Plants
About Our Uncommon Founder
The person (and visionary) who has “woven all these amazing people together” is remarkable in her own right. Jade Shutes has an extensive, and ever-ongoing, professional education. She was instrumental in the evolution of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), still the primary aromatherapy organization in the U.S. – setting strict education standards and has led the industry’s main standards and dedication to encouraging unity, integrity and excellence in education and the support of aromatherapists.
More than that, she is a passionate and inspiring educator, in part because her own journey with aromatherapy has been a transformative one. She actively practices her craft, and continues to learn everything she can about the evolving art and science of aromatherapy.