Tisserand Institute

What Tisserand Institute does

Tisserand Institute is a privately held, founder-led online education platform specializing in evidence-based aromatherapy and essential oil instruction, established in 2014-2015 and based in Thousand Oaks, California. Its core offering is a self-paced learning management system delivering certificate courses (e.g., Aromatic Chemistry at $420, Essential Oil Safety Masterclass), diploma programs (AromaDermatology, Aromatic Science), subscription lecture series (Constituent Spotlight Vol. 1 and 2), standalone single classes ($39 each), and proprietary knowledge resources including the Materia Aromatica research database and a substantive infographics library. Instruction is led by Robert Tisserand (author of the first English-language aromatherapy book in 1977 and co-author of the industry reference 'Essential Oil Safety'), Dr. Joy Bowles (PhD in essential oil pharmacology), and Lise Andersen (formulation), among others.

The institute operates a direct-to-consumer online delivery model targeting a globally distributed base of professional aromatherapists, educators, formulators, healthcare professionals, and enthusiast consumers, with no enterprise contracts and no disclosed external capital. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time course purchases with payment plans, supplemented by recurring subscription bundles for lecture series and minor third-party physical product sales via Perfumers Apprentice. It is a NAHA-approved Continuing Education Provider, conferring regulatory legitimacy. Operations are run by a six-to-seven-person team led by Robert Tisserand (Principal) and Hana Tisserand (COO).

Name

Tisserand Institute

Legal name

Tisserand Institute

Website

https://tisserandinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tisserand Institute is a privately held online education platform offering evidence-based aromatherapy and essential oil certification courses, diplomas, and lecture series to professional practitioners, educators, formulators, and enthusiasts globally. Founded in 2014-2015, it is led by Robert Tisserand, the pioneering author in the field.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aromatherapy Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Massage Therapy Schools & Certification Programs (HSALANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Open Interactive Learning Objects & Simulations (EDAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Aromatherapy education
• Essential oil training
• Aromatic chemistry courses
• Online aromatherapy certification
• Evidence-based aromatherapy

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Certificate Courses: Multi-week certification programs with pre-recorded lessons, live Q&A sessions, and ongoing access to materials. Examples include Aromatic Chemistry ($420) and Essential Oil Safety Masterclass.
2. Diploma Programs: Comprehensive diploma programs combining multiple certificate courses, such as Diploma in AromaDermatology and Diploma in Aromatic Science.
3. Single Classes: Individual standalone courses priced at $39 each, covering topics like Biosynthesis, Essential Calculation, Essential Oil Synergy, and Inhalation of Essential Oils.
4. Lecture Series Subscriptions: Multi-month subscription bundles for the Constituent Spotlight lecture series, available in 3 or 5-month payment plans.
5. Readmission Fees: Administrative fees for course readmission: $50 for certificate courses, $100 for bundled programs, $150 for diploma programs.
6. Constituent Spotlight Kits: Physical product bundles of 9 constituents (4ml each) sold through third-party partner Perfumers Apprentice for optional hands-on learning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tisserand Institute delivers online evidence-based essential oil and aromatherapy education through certificate courses, diploma programs, lecture series, single classes, and formulation programs. Offerings include pre-recorded video lessons, live Q&A sessions, downloadable materials, a private student forum, and a proprietary essential oil research database (Materia Aromatica). Courses are taught by multi-disciplinary experts covering aromatic chemistry, safety, formulation, dermatology, and psychology.

Product overview

Tisserand Institute is an online education platform offering evidence-based essential oil and aromatherapy training. The portfolio includes certificate courses (Aromatic Chemistry, Essential Oil Safety Masterclass), diploma programs (AromaDermatology), lecture series (Constituent Spotlight Vol. 1 and Vol. 2), formulation programs (Complete Formulation, Formulating Gels, Formulating Sprays, Formulating Emulsions), psychology programs (AromaPsychology), single classes, and knowledge resources (Materia Aromatica database, Infographics). The platform operates on a cohort-based model with courses scheduled throughout the year, featuring expert instructors like Dr. Joy Bowles, Robert Tisserand, Lise Andersen, and Jonathan Benavides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aromatic Chemistry Certification Course A seven-lesson certification course taught by Dr. Joy Bowles covering organic chemistry fundamentals and the molecular makeup of essential oils, including chemical structures, nomenclature, and analysis. Priced at US$420 with full payment or $105/month for 4 months payment plan.
• Constituent Spotlight Lecture Series Vol. 1 An 8-lecture series by Dr. Joy Bowles exploring the relationship between essential oil constituents and whole essential oils, covering alpha-Bisabolol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Carvone, Caryophyllene, Eugenol, and Pinene.
• Constituent Spotlight Lecture Series Vol. 2 An 8-lecture series by Dr. Joy Bowles covering additional essential oil constituents including Citronellal, Citral, Nerolidol, Nerol, Menthol, Benzyl benzoate, Carvacrol, Cedrol, and Cedrene.
• Diploma in AromaDermatology A comprehensive diploma program covering the use of aromatherapy in dermatological treatment and skin care, combining evidence-based practice with clinical applications.
• The Aromatic Skincare Program A certificate program focused on creating natural personal care products using carrier and essential oils, taught with a science-based approach.
• Essential Oil Safety Masterclass A masterclass focusing on evidence-based essential oil safety protocols and risk assessment for professional practitioners.
• The AromaPsychology Program A comprehensive program exploring the psychological effects of essential oils and aromatherapy on mental and emotional well-being.
• Essential Oils for Healthy Skin A course focused on the therapeutic application of essential oils for skin health and dermatological conditions.
• Practical AromaPsychology A client-centered approach to aromatherapy psychology with Jonathan Benavides, focusing on practical application in therapeutic settings.
• Beyond the Bottle An advanced course exploring beyond basic essential oil usage, expanding understanding of aromatherapy applications.
• The Complete Formulation Program A comprehensive formulation program covering product creation with essential oils, including oils, butters, waxes, emulsions, gels, and sprays.
• Formulation Essentials (Oils, Butters and Waxes), 2e Essential formulation techniques for working with oils, butters, and waxes in aromatherapy product creation (second edition).
• Essential Hair Care A specialized course on incorporating essential oils into hair care formulations and treatments.
• The PharmacoTherapeutics Program A program covering the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of essential oils and their clinical applications.
• Formulating Emulsions A formulation course teaching how to create emulsion-based products incorporating essential oils.
• Essential Oil Kinetics Masterclass A masterclass covering the kinetics of essential oils in the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
• PharmacoDynamics A masterclass focusing on the dynamic actions and mechanisms of essential oils in the body.
• Formulating Gels A formulation course teaching the creation of gel and serum products with essential oils, taught by Lise Andersen. Priced at $240 full payment or $120/month for 2 months.
• EO Blending & Perfumery A new course for 2025 focusing on essential oil blending techniques and perfumery principles.
• Formulating Aqueous Sprays A formulation course teaching how to create room sprays, mists, and aqueous products incorporating essential oils, with and without alcohol. Priced at $120 full payment.
• Single Classes (Various) Individual focused classes priced at $39 each, covering topics including Biosynthesis, Essential Calculation, Essential Oil Synergy, Fresh Lavender Hand Rescue Bar Tutorial, Fundamentals of Essential Oil Therapy, Good Formulation Practice, Inhalation of Essential Oils, Oxidation & Shelf Life, and The Joy of Research.
• Constituent Spotlight Kit Physical product bundle of 9 constituents (4ml each) sold through third-party partner Perfumers Apprentice as an optional hands-on complement to the Constituent Spotlight lecture series. Shipped worldwide as hazardous materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Evidence-based essential oil education with ongoing curriculum updates reflecting the newest scientific research
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Perfumers ApprenticeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party partner that sells the Constituent Spotlight Kit (boxed collection of 9 constituents at 4ml each) separately from the online course. Sold with worldwide shipping as hazardous materials.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aromahead Institute: Founded by Andrea Butje, Aromahead is a leading online aromatherapy certification school offering comparable certificate and diploma programs to practicing aromatherapists — the closest direct competitor to Tisserand Institute in curriculum, delivery format, and target audience.
• The School for Aromatic Studies: Jade Shutes' School for Aromatic Studies offers online aromatherapy certification and continuing education programs. Operates in the same niche, serves the same professional practitioner audience, and competes for the same student cohort.
• Aromahead's Andrea Butje (courses via Stillpoint Aromatics ecosystem): Stillpoint and adjacent platforms bundle aromatherapy education with product lines, overlapping with Tisserand's hybrid education-plus-physical-product strategy (Constituent Spotlight Kits).
• New York Institute of Aromatherapy: NYIA offers online aromatherapy certification and foundation programs aimed at professional practitioners. Competes in the same professional segment with comparable course structures and pricing models.
• Sedona Aromatherapie (School): Online aromatherapy certification and continuing education programs. Operates in the same niche with comparable curriculum and serves English-speaking professional aromatherapists.

Others

• Teachable: Course platform provider that enables independent educators to build and monetize online academies. Adjacent enabling technology rather than a direct competitor, but lowers barriers for new entrants into the aromatherapy education space.

Emerging players

• The Herbal Academy: Online herbalism school with adjacent natural-product formulation content. Targets a similar wellness-practitioner audience and overlaps with Tisserand's formulation and skincare courses, though without the aromatherapy specialization.
• East West School of Herbology: Traditional herbal medicine education including some aromatic plant content. Partial overlap with Tisserand Institute on evidence-based botanical education, primarily serving hobbyist-to-practitioner learners.

Broad incumbents

• Udemy: Mass-market online course marketplace hosting low-cost aromatherapy courses from various instructors. Represents the long-tail, low-price competitive threat that pressures Tisserand's premium positioning.
• American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS): ACHS is a larger, accredited institution offering aromatherapy certificates and diplomas alongside broader holistic health and wellness programs. Overlaps with Tisserand on aromatherapy curriculum but serves a wider student base with formal accreditation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RobertTisserandEssentialTraining
• Instagraminstagram.com/tisserandinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tisserand-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tisserand Institute