Denise Cusack

Deerfield, Wisconsin
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about denise

Denise's journey into natural perfumery, herbalism, and aromatherapy began with a heartfelt mission: to create gentle, nurturing alternatives for her family. Sensitive to the harshness of synthetic fragrances, she yearned for scents that felt like nature—a comforting aroma born from the earth's own healing gifts.

As a mother, Denise embraced herbalism, aromatherapy, permaculture,  flower essences, earth-based practices, and whole foods to support her children’s unique health needs. This quest led her to her herb farm in 2018—a botanical sanctuary where food, medicine, and fragrant treasures flourish together. Not satisfied with only getting herbs at a store, she now grows over 300 species of medicinal and aromatic plants.  Among hand-tended plants in this nurturing haven, she learned to craft aromatic tinctures, distillations, and resin formulations - including ingredients for Analu perfume and aromabutters™ - each creation infused with intention and the lifeforce of living plants.

Meet Denise

Over the years, Denise’s volunteer work with Herbalists Without Borders has deepened her commitment to health justice and care for underserved communities, bringing care and support to those facing trauma, disaster, displacement, and mental health challenges.

Guided by a profound passion for scent, Denise discovered that while aromatherapy heals, it can also shine with the intension and aromatic impact of both nature and chemistry. Immersing herself in the art of natural perfumery, she blends rich accords, harvesting flowers, barks, resins, and herbs right from her small farmstead. Today, her creations weave together purpose, creativity, and a commitment to crafting 100% natural aromas that nourishes both body and soul. Denise has studied clinical aromatherapy, herbalism, flower essences, hydrosols, permaculture, social permaculture, disaster response, trauma informed care, mental health first aid, and other modalities that support mind and body. Denise cultivates family, community, a dog, a cat, adult kids, wildlife, pollinators, and thousands of native medicinal and aromatic plants on her acres. Denise teaches and volunteers for health justice and plant conservation initiatives around the world. Find Denise at WhollyRooted.com, and at [email protected].