20 Medicinal Questions: Anthia Koullouros
- Words by
- Georgina Reid
Anthia Koullouros is a Sydney based naturopath and author. Her name kept popping up throughout our research into this month’s theme of Medicine, so we decided to interview her! She worked with Urban Growers to develop the physic garden at Kitchen by Mike and also makes a range of organic, healing teas under the name Ovvio, which means ‘obviously, naturally’ in Italian. Because the most beautiful things in life unfold as nature intended….
Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself, and your life with plants?
I am a Naturopath, Herbalist and Food, Health & Lifestyle Educator. I consult out of my Naturopathic Clinic, which sits, above my store: Ovvio Tea & Tonic Store in Paddington NSW and I am the creator of Ovvio Organic Tea and Herb & Spice range. I use plants as a natural therapy in the form of food, tea and herbal tinctures.
What is your healing philosophy and how do plants fit into it?
I AM HERE TO REMIND PEOPLE OF WHAT THEY ALREADY KNOW. That good health is the ticket to a spectacular existence – getting there should be simple, instinctual, beautiful. That your body deserves the best – fill it with goodness and watch your cup overflow. I am here to chime in that life’s too short for ill health. That cultivating wellbeing creates freedom -something we can all aspire to. There’s no great secret; it’s obvious, it’s natural. Ovvio means “obvious” in Italian or “naturally” or “of course”. Because the most beautiful things in life unfold as nature intended.
It is my passion to educate and inspire as many people as possible to choose products and take actions that add health, happiness, peace, love, beauty and truth to their lives and the lives of others. To achieve this I help people sort through their clutter and get clear about why they are feeling the way they are, and help them overcome the confusion that many people experience when it comes to health, lifestyle and nutrition. Education is the key, debunking myths and offering clear and simple, no-nonsense, fad-free, sustainable solutions to take care of their minds and bodies.
Plants or herbal medicine is a modality I use to help clients transition from ill health to health.
Why did you choose to become a naturopath? And what then lead you to creating the Ovvio tea brand?
I was inspired to become a Naturopath when I found an old book on parents book shelf called “How to Get Well” by a Naturopathic Physician called Paavo Airola. I read it at the age of 12.
I created Ovvio tea because I wanted to create a “pure tea product”. Ovvio teas are therapeutically created according to the principles of traditional herbal medicine; each tea offers emotional, physical and mental health benefits – calmness, energy, clarity, restoration and detoxification. They remain as nature intended: the highest grade of ingredients, unadulterated, unprocessed and naturally delightful, free from artificial and imitation “natural” flavours and 100% certified organic (ACO No: 11236P).
Do you have a favourite medicinal plant? What is it and how do you use it?
Chamomile – today. It may change tomorrow. As a tea for relaxation and digestive calm.
What cheers you up?
Spending time with the loves of my life Casper and Maya doggies.
What is the habit you are proudest of breaking or want to break?
Letting go
What is your favourite word?
Diabolical
Name a skill you wish you had.
To be tech savvy
What is the most played song on your playlist (phone etc)?
Something classical
If you had to make a garden with 3 plants, what would they be?
- Lemon tree
- Pomegranate tree
- Fig tree
What makes somebody sexy?
Health
What do you miss most about being a child?
Being with my grandparents
What’s the first thing you notice about people?
Their energy and health
If you were a plant, what would you be?
Magnolia – statuesque and strong
What is your favourite natural scent?
Rose
What qualities in people do you admire the most?
Honesty, loyalty and hard working
What would you be doing in an alternate life or career?
I would be an architect
What’s your perfect three-course meal?
- An Italian antipasto platter with chopped raw home grown vegetables dipped in sea salt
- French roast chicken with my mother’s tomato green beans and dolmades and yoghurt
- Home made chocolate cloud cake (grain free from my book) with vanilla cream
What is special about where you live?
It’s near my warehouse and it’s where my partner lives.
If you could control your dreams, what would you dream about?
Walking the streets of Paris with my partner.
What is your favourite kind of weather?
Cool, clean air with sunny Monet pastel skies
How many people are you completely yourself with?
Hmmm…I am guessing I should say everyone as I have nothing to hide and I like being transparent but I am a private person – probably 5 people.
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Anthia’s book ‘I Am Food’ is published by Penguin and is available to buy here.
End
- Author
- Georgina Reid is a writer and the founding editor of Wonderground. Her prose and poetry have been published in books and magazines nationally and internationally. She’s the author of The Planthunter: Truth, Beauty, Chaos and Plants and lives by the river on Darug land.
