As a homeopath, tea creator and co-founder of Camellia’s Tea House, I’ve always been fascinated by how nature’s botanicals can help restore balance not just in the body, but also in the mind. Recently, my attention has turned to something deeply personal and increasingly relevant: the connection between the gut and the brain, and how this relationship might play a role in how we think, feel, and function particularly for those who are neurodiverse.

Why I Started Looking at the Gut–Brain Axis

In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in people both children and adults being diagnosed with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity. These conditions often come with challenges around focus, energy regulation, digestion, and mood. I began asking myself: could the way we nourish our bodies, especially through the gut, influence these experiences?

Science is increasingly pointing towards a powerful link known as the gut–brain axis, the constant communication between our digestive system and our nervous system. The gut is sometimes called our “second brain”, because it contains millions of neurons and produces many of the same neurotransmitters that the brain does. When the gut is healthy and supported, it can positively influence mood, attention, and emotional balance.

The Role of Gut Health in Everyday Wellness

The gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria that live in our digestive system, affects much more than digestion. It plays a role in immunity, inflammation, energy levels, and even mental clarity.  For children, supporting gut health early on can help create a stronger foundation for both cognitive and emotional well-being. For adults, maintaining gut balance becomes an anchor for managing stress, sustaining focus, and supporting calm.

And this is where tea, when made with purpose, can play a gentle yet meaningful role.

Creating a Tea Blend for Neurodiverse Wellness

Over the past months, I’ve been working closely with a scientist who specialises in metabolomics and nutrigenomics to explore how certain herbs and botanicals could naturally support the gut–brain connection. Together, we’re developing a new functional herbal tea designed to help bring balance to this important pathway, while being delicious, gentle, and even kid-friendly.

Our intention is not to create a medical formula, but rather a healthy beverage with purpose - something families can enjoy together, knowing that each sip offers nourishment for the body and mind.

The blend focuses on:

• Digestive support: Herbs that help soothe and strengthen the gut lining while promoting microbiome diversity.
  
  
• Calming the nervous system: Botanicals that support emotional balance and reduce overstimulation.
  
  
• Natural focus and clarity: Ingredients that gently encourage alertness without caffeine or stimulants.
  
  
• Family-friendly enjoyment: Naturally sweet, caffeine-free botanicals safe for children and adults alike.
  
  

Tea as a Ritual of Regulation

What I love most about tea is not just its taste or health benefits, but the ritual it invites. Brewing a cup of tea can become a moment of regulation - a mindful pause that helps both adults and children slow down, breathe, and reconnect. For parents navigating busy routines or for children learning to manage focus and emotions, this ritual can be grounding and comforting.

When we developed this new blend, I wanted to make sure it could serve as both a functional wellness drink and a soothing daily ritual. Something that could be sipped warm before bedtime, or served chilled in the morning as a refreshing start to the day - a tea that truly fits into family life.

Why It Matters

For me, this project goes beyond tea. It’s about curiosity, asking how nature can help us understand ourselves better. It’s about embracing differences in how our brains work, and how supporting our gut health might bring small but meaningful improvements in focus, calm, and resilience.

Most importantly, it’s about connection: between mind and body, between parent and child, and between the science of wellness and the comfort of daily rituals.

What’s Next

We’re still in the formulation phase, refining taste, testing ingredient synergy, and ensuring that each botanical contributes a clear purpose. The goal is a natural, caffeine-free tea that can support those who are neurodiverse, sensitive to stimulants, or simply looking to nurture gut and brain health in a gentle, holistic way.

As we continue this journey, I hope our research and creations inspire you to pause and reflect on your own wellness routines. Perhaps the next time you brew a cup of tea, you’ll think of it not just as a comforting drink, but as an opportunity, to care for your gut, calm your mind, and support your family’s well-being.

Warmly,
Lubna Madan
Co-Founder & Tea Creator, Camellia’s Tea House