The Natural Perfume Academy Podcast

What is a true attar, and why can the word mean so many different things? Ruth Ruane and natural perfumer Ane Walsh explore Kannauj’s traditional deg-bhapka distillation, sandalwood as a fragrant receiver, and mitti attar: baked earth distilled into oil to evoke the first monsoon rain. Their conversation travels through rose, tuberose, kewra, khus, henna, shamama, majmua, amber, oud and mukhallats, with three recipes waiting inside the free Natural Botanical Perfumery Club.

Vetiver in perfumery is far more complex than the familiar description of a dark, earthy base note. In Episode 3 of the Natural Perfume Academy Scent Panel, Ruth Ruane and Ane Walsh delve into the fascinating world of vetiver oils, exploring the vast differences created by origin, soil, extraction, and the perfumer’s method. From the thick Brazilian wild vetiver to the cleaner, creamier Haitian variety, this warm and sensory conversation reveals the many faces of vetiver. Discover how this versatile root can shape the architecture of a fragrance and why it’s essential to understand its nuances in natural perfumery.

Ambergris in perfumery: Ruth Ruane and Ane Walsh explore its scent, tincturing, ageing, beachcombing and how it brings natural perfume to life.

What if patchouli isn’t one material — but an entire world? In Episode 1 of the Natural Perfume Academy Scent Panel, Ruth Ruane and Ane Walsh explore aged patchouli, distillation, sourcing, blending, tinctures, and the hidden complexity behind one of perfumery’s most transformative materials.

In this special Nymphaea Friday edition of the Natural Perfume Academy Podcast, host Ruth Ruane speaks with Zoe Stranzali, certified botanical perfumer, aromatherapy educator, and founder of Nymphaea Aromatic Wellness in Athens, Greece. Together they explore Greece’s aromatic legacy—from the pine forests and resins of Halkidiki to the sacred labdanum once called “Greek myrrh.” Zoe shares how ancient perfumery, mythology, […]