Alice Encinas Duvernell, MA is a French ethno-botanist specializing in restorative community practices, herbal aromatic therapies, and botanical product design for healing, culinary, and cosmetic use. Trained at the Sorbonne in Paris, her work led her to South America, where she began botanical distillation and extraction while collaborating with Indigenous communities and university leaders in Brazil.

After overcoming severe acne through botanical and mineral-based healing, Alice deepened her focus on organic cosmetology, botanical extractions, and foods for beauty. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 15 years, she teaches adults and children to reconnect with the body through nature’s self-healing intelligence. Her specialties include bee medicine, clays and oligo-minerals, essential oils, homeopathy, cosmeceuticals, and herbal therapy.

This aromatherapeutic class is rooted in decades of study, practice, and direct transmission from some of the most respected pioneers in modern aromatherapy and botanical distillation. DeAnna’s training spans clinical aromatherapy, traditional plant medicine, and artisanal distillation, shaped by mentorship with:

Aromatherapy studies with Jeanne Rose, Marcel Lavabre, Michael Scholes, Horst Rechelbacher of Aveda, John Steel, Robert Tisserand, Susan Caddy, and Valerie Wormwood.

Distillation training with Jeanne Rose, Jack Chaitman, and Ramakant of Sugandhim.

Drawing from these lineages, the class weaves together sensory intelligence, safety, plant chemistry, and reverence for traditional methods. Students are guided to understand essential oils not only as aromatic substances, but as living expressions of place, plant, and process—intended for therapeutic, ritual, and everyday use with integrity and respect.