The Natural Perfume Academy Podcast

In 2008, while learning natural perfumery, I turned perfume materials into characters and accidentally wrote a scented soap opera. Nearly nineteen years later I found it again. This is the story of how Rose became Róisín.

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, […]

The Natural Perfume Academy podcast is back! In this first episode of our revival series, host Ruth Ruane (Galway, Ireland) sits down with Salomón Murrow, founder of Parfo Lab in Mexico City — a certified perfumery school accredited by the NPA. Salomón brings together a unique background in perfumery, chemistry, and sensory education as a tea and wine sommelier. Together […]

This is a quiet study hour and a special bonus episode—a one-hour reading for anyone who wants to learn and reflect. We welcome recordings of your recording or reading in any language. Please forgive my prononciation of some words. We explore the aromatic contributions of the bitter orange tree to perfumery, detailing its five distinct fragrant materials and their historical, […]

In this rich and heartfelt episode, Brazilian natural perfumer Ane Walsh shares her journey from synthetic to natural perfumery, the stories behind her creations, and how she brings native Brazilian botanicals and folklore to life through scent.

Step inside the world of natural perfumery with our very first episode. Hosts Ruth Ruane and Justine Crane share scent memories, Earth Day reflections, and the story behind the Natural Perfume Academy. From childhood aromas to slow perfumery, this episode invites you to reconnect with nature—one fragrant breath at a time.

This is the official trailer for The Natural Perfume Academy Podcast. Meet your hosts and discover what to expect from our upcoming episodes — including aromatic journeys, ancient traditions, and lively conversations with makers from around the world. Subscribe and join us as we learn, create, and inspire.