In Loving Memory of Andrea Butje — Visionary, Teacher, and Founder of Aromahead Institute
It is with full hearts and deep reverence that we honor the life and legacy of Andrea Butje, a true pioneer in the field of aromatherapy, a beloved teacher, a guiding light to many, and the founder of the Aromahead Institute. Andrea passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by immense love, after a courageous and soulful journey. Though she may have left this physical world, her presence, impact, and spirit remain powerfully alive in the hearts of all who knew her — and in the global aromatherapy community she helped shape.
A Life Poured Out with Passion
Andrea was not someone who lived quietly. She was a force of nature — bold, intentional, and full of vibrant energy. She poured her entire being into everything she touched, whether it was planting gardens, crafting essential oil blends, building an educational legacy, or nurturing the people she loved.
One year, Andrea and her life 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, and overflowing with life. Her love for the natural world wasn’t symbolic — it was real, tactile, and ever-present in the choices she made.
Revolutionizing Aromatherapy Education
Andrea’s professional contributions are nothing short of revolutionary. Through her vision and leadership at the Aromahead Institute, she transformed the standards of aromatherapy education. She didn’t just teach — she elevated the entire industry.
She was among the first to advocate for transparency in essential oil sourcing, demanding GC/MS reports before it was an industry norm. She stood firmly for sustainability, ethics, and purity, supporting distillers who treated the plants and the Earth with the same reverence she did.
Andrea’s reach was global. She traveled the world to learn, to teach, and to collaborate. Her curriculum has empowered millions of students across continents — many of whom credit her with not only introducing them to the art and science of essential oils but changing the trajectory of their lives.
She had an extraordinary gift: she could translate complex chemistry and botany into soulful stories, simple truths, and empowering practices. Andrea made essential oil education personal, intuitive, and transformational. Her legacy lives on in every course, every graduate, and every drop of oil chosen with intention.
A Heart That Touched Everyone
But Andrea wasn’t just an educator or entrepreneur. She was a woman of immense heart.
She truly saw people. She listened deeply, gave generously of her time and wisdom, and offered her full presence in every interaction. Andrea was a seeker — grounded, spiritual, curious, and radiant. She loved to cook, to write, to laugh, to share. She found joy in both the wild and the still places — the beach and the high desert being among her favorites.
And above all, she loved Cindy. Their bond was woven into every page of Andrea’s life. In her book The Heart of Aromatherapy, Andrea offered this dedication:
“For my Cindy,
In this vast universe, you are my home.
I love and adore you.”
A Legacy That Lives On
Andrea’s passing leaves a deep ache in our hearts, but it also leaves behind a monumental legacy. Her voice continues to echo in the halls of the Aromahead Institute, in the healing hands of practitioners around the world, and in every soul that found strength, guidance, and transformation through her work.
We invite the global aromatherapy and wellness community to join us in honoring Andrea’s life. Light a candle. Diffuse your favorite essential oil. Breathe in deeply. And remember her — not just in sadness, but in gratitude, reverence, and awe.
Andrea is with us still — in the whisper of the leaves, the scent of the oils, the stillness of breath, and the sacred work we carry forward.
Share Your Memories
If Andrea touched your life — through her teachings, her writing, a conversation, a class — we invite you to share a memory, a story, or a tribute in the comments of this post. Her life was a collective story, and every thread matters.
Donations in Her Honor
In lieu of flowers, a donation fund is being created in Andrea’s honor. Proceeds will support causes that reflect Andrea and Cindy’s values, passions, and vision for a better world. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Andrea Butje, you lit a path for so many. You taught us not only how to work with plants, but how to live fully, love deeply, and leave the world more beautiful than we found it.
You changed our lives.
And you always will.
