Vidya Reddy is the host of The Tea on Wellness Podcast and co-founder of Tea & Turmeric in Laguna Beach.
Your gut talks to you every single day. Through your skin, your sleep, your mood, even your cravings. Most of us just haven't learned how to listen yet.
The top two things people ask about at Tea & Turmeric are sleep and gut health. This episode is the gut health conversation Vidya has been having across her counter for years, finally on tape.
What You Will Learn
Why 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut, not your brain, and what that means for your mood, focus, and sleep. Why 80% of your immune system lives in your digestive tract. What Agni is and why weak digestive fire sits at the root of bloating, fatigue, and skin flare-ups.
The story of Vidya's trip to India, getting sick, and the backyard tea her aunty made that fixed everything overnight. How Maria from Huntington Beach transformed her digestion, skin, and sleep in two weeks with two teas. The two teas Vidya reaches for most at the shop for gut support and exactly why they work. Three small daily practices that start helping your gut from day one.
The Science Behind It
Your gut and brain are in constant communication through the gut-brain axis. About 90% of serotonin, the calm, happy chemical most people think lives in the brain, is actually produced in the digestive tract. When your gut is sluggish or inflamed, your mood, sleep, and focus all feel it.
Around 80% of your immune system also lives in your digestive tract. Catching every cold, dealing with persistent skin issues, or feeling run down without explanation often starts here, not in your medicine cabinet.
In Ayurveda this is not new information. Digestive fire, called Agni, has always been considered the foundation of health. When it burns steadily, food becomes nourishment. When it weakens, toxins called Ama accumulate and show up as fatigue, inflammation, and foggy thinking. Modern research keeps arriving at the same place Ayurveda has been for thousands of years.
Featured Teas and Blends
Optimal Gut Health Tea Organic
Organic Pu-erh Tea
Shop All Digestion & Detox Teas
Find all of these at teaandturmeric.com or visit us in Laguna Beach at 1175 S Coast Highway.
Stay Connected
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Chapters
0:00 — The Tea on Wellness, Show Intro
1:00 — Gut Health and Why Your Whole Body Starts Here
1:45 — The Gut-Brain Axis: 90% of Your Serotonin Is Made in Your Gut
2:45 — 80% of Your Immune System Lives in Your Digestive Tract
3:30 — What Agni Is and Why Digestive Fire Changes Everything
4:15 — Vidya's Story: Sick in India and the Tea That Fixed Everything
5:15 — Maria from Huntington Beach: Two Weeks, Two Teas, Total Shift
6:15 — Optimal Gut Health Tea: What's In It and Why It Works
7:15 — Organic Pu-erh Tea: The Fermented Black Tea Your Gut Loves
8:15 — Three Simple Daily Practices to Start Caring for Your Gut
9:15 — The Mindful Pause Before You Eat
10:15 — Closing: Your Gut Has Been Talking to You All Along
11:29 — Show Outro
Transcript
Podcast: The Tea on Wellness
Episode 27: Gut Health: Bloated, Tired, Foggy? Your Gut Is Trying to Tell You Something
Host: Vidya, co-founder of Tea & Turmeric
Location: Laguna Beach
[1:00] Gut Health and Why Your Whole Body Starts Here
[VIDYA]: Your gut talks to you every single day, through your skin, your sleep, your mood, even your cravings. The question is, are you listening?
Hi, I'm Vidya, co-owner of Tea & Turmeric in Laguna Beach, the only loose leaf tea and spice shop in all of Orange County, and this is The Tea on Wellness.
Today we're diving into gut health, what it really means, how it affects every part of you, and a few simple ways to start feeling lighter and more balanced. I'll also share two of my favorite teas we use at the shop that naturally support digestion and help you feel your best.
The top two things people ask us about at the store are sleep and gut health. I've already talked about sleep in a past episode, so if you haven't heard that one, go check it out. But today, it's all about your belly. Because your gut has a story to tell, and once you learn how to listen, everything else starts to fall into place.
[1:45] The Gut-Brain Axis: 90% of Your Serotonin Is Made in Your Gut
[VIDYA]: We spend a lot of time thinking about what to eat, but not nearly enough time thinking about how we digest. And digestion tells you a lot about your overall health. Your gut isn't just about breaking down food. It's connected to everything: your immune system, mood, sleep, skin, even your hormones.
When digestion isn't working well, even the healthiest foods don't make you feel good. You might feel bloated, tired, foggy, or notice skin flare-ups that don't seem to go away. Those are your body's signals that your gut needs attention.
[2:45] 80% of Your Immune System Lives in Your Digestive Tract
[VIDYA]: Modern science completely supports this. Your gut and your brain are constantly talking to each other through something called the gut-brain axis. About ninety percent of your serotonin, that calm, happy chemical, is made in your gut, not your brain. So when your gut is sluggish or inflamed, your mood, focus, and sleep can all be thrown off.
And, did you know, that around eighty percent of your immune system lives in your digestive tract. So if you're catching every cold, breaking out with acne or eczema, or just feeling run down all the time, your gut might be where it all begins.
[3:30] What Agni Is and Why Digestive Fire Changes Everything
[VIDYA]: In Ayurveda, we call this inner power Agni, your digestive fire. When Agni burns steadily, food becomes nourishment. You feel light, energized, and clear. When it's weak, toxins called Ama build up, and that can cause fatigue, inflammation, or skin issues. If it burns too strong, you might deal with acidity or irritation. Balance is everything, a steady, healthy fire that runs quietly in the background.
[4:15] Vidya's Story: Sick in India and the Tea That Fixed Everything
[VIDYA]: My own lesson in gut health started years and years ago. I travelled to India, so excited to see family and friends and of course, eat the best Andhra food, but my gut had other plans. I spent days feeling sick and miserable.
But my aunty, who I was staying with, didn't panic. She simply went to the backyard, picked fresh ginger and turmeric, added fennel seeds, and brewed a warm, fragrant tea which I sipped all day long. By the next morning, I was 100%. That simple act changed everything. I felt lighter, calmer, and my energy came back. That's when I realized that gut health isn't just about food. It's about how you care for your whole inner fire, your body's balance.
[5:15] Maria from Huntington Beach: Two Weeks, Two Teas, Total Shift
[VIDYA]: Let me tell you about Maria, from Huntington Beach. She came in exhausted and bloated after every meal. We talked about slowing down when she ate, adding more warmth, and introducing two teas, our Optimal Gut Health blend and our Organic Pu-erh tea. Two weeks later, she came back glowing. Her digestion had settled, her skin looked clearer, and she said she was finally sleeping through the night. That's what happens when your gut starts working with you instead of against you.
[6:15] Optimal Gut Health Tea: What's In It and Why It Works
[VIDYA]: Now let's talk about tea, because this is where we can really help the gut naturally.
Our Optimal Gut Health Tea was created to both soothe and ignite digestion. Pu-erh relaxes the digestive tract, ginger warms and stimulates your system, and helps with gas and bloating and turmeric calms inflammation in the gut lining, balances gut bacteria. A touch of apple adds natural sweetness and fiber, helping the gut move with ease. These herbs work together to bring warmth, comfort, and balance back to your belly.
[7:15] Organic Pu-erh Tea: The Fermented Black Tea Your Gut Loves
[VIDYA]: Then there's Organic Pu-erh tea, the hidden gem of our shop. Pu-erh is a fermented black tea from China with a rich, earthy flavor. Because it's fermented, it naturally feeds the good bacteria in your gut, your microbiome, helping digestion run smoothly and your immunity stay strong.
Pu-erh also supports healthy cholesterol, heart health, and metabolism. It can even help your body manage weight naturally by improving how you process fats and keeping your energy steady throughout the day. Pu-erh does contain caffeine, so it's best enjoyed earlier, maybe after breakfast or lunch. It gives you that calm focus without the crash of coffee.
[8:15] Three Simple Daily Practices to Start Caring for Your Gut
[VIDYA]: Here are a few simple, powerful ways you can start caring for your gut today.
First, embrace warmth in your routine. Think of your digestive system as a gentle fire. When you pour ice-cold drinks or eat cold foods, you cool that fire down, making digestion harder and slower. Instead, favor warm, cooked meals and gently warm drinks like herbal teas. This warmth doesn't just feel comforting, it helps your gut lining and enzymes do their job more efficiently.
Second, make your meals mindful, not rushed. We live busy lives and often eat over our keyboards or while scrolling. When you're distracted, your body doesn't prepare for digestion. You need to tell your gut, "Hey, food is coming." Slow down, chew, and focus on your meal. That small shift helps your digestive system work better and prevents that heavy, bloated feeling.
[9:15] The Mindful Pause Before You Eat
[VIDYA]: Before your next meal, try this simple mindful pause.
Sit down and take one slow breath in through your nose.
As you exhale, let your shoulders drop.
Look at your food, really look at it. Notice the colors, the smell, the warmth rising from the plate.
Then bring your hand to your belly and say quietly, "It's time to receive."
That single moment of attention signals your body to switch from stress mode to rest-and-digest mode.
Your saliva starts flowing, your stomach enzymes wake up, and your whole system softens into nourishment instead of survival.
And third, use supportive teas and calming rituals. Make that cup of our Optimal Gut Health Tea after lunch a little daily moment of care. Or try a cup of Pu-erh earlier in the day for balance and steady energy. Remember, your mind and your gut are connected. When you feel stressed, your digestion tightens. A few deep, slow breaths can reset your system and help your gut relax.
Try this for one week and pay attention to what changes, your energy, your skin, your sleep. Your gut is always talking to you. You just have to listen.
[10:15] Closing: Your Gut Has Been Talking to You All Along
[VIDYA]: If you're in Laguna Beach or nearby, come visit us at Tea & Turmeric. My sister Kavita and I would love to help you find teas and spices that fit your body and your lifestyle. We're proud to be the only loose leaf tea and spice shop in all of Orange County. And if you're listening from afar, visit teaandturmeric.com to explore our blends online.
Gut health isn't about restriction or quick fixes. It's about gentle, daily rituals, warming your body, calming your mind, and supporting your system from the inside out.
Thank you for listening. I'm Vidya, and this has been The Tea on Wellness. Take good care of your belly, your body's storyteller. It's been trying to tell you everything all along.
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About the Host
Vidya is the host of The Tea on Wellness Podcast, ranked in the top 25% of new podcasts globally. She is co-founder and owner of Tea & Turmeric, a tea and spice shop in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California. Raised in Eastern Canada in an Indian family rooted in Ayurveda, she grew up drinking masala chai daily in her Amma Amma's kitchen long before sourcing loose-leaf herbs for her own shop. Today, Vidya formulates functional herbal teas and spice blends and speaks with customers every day about stress, sleep, digestion, and nervous system support. She shares Ayurvedic tea traditions, adaptogens, and practical wellness rituals bi-weekly on The Tea on Wellness Podcast.
Resources & Links
Shop the Episode:
Optimal Gut Health Tea
Organic Pu-erh Tea
Shop All Digestion & Detox Teas
Visit Us:
Tea & Turmeric, 1175 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, California
Shop Online: teaandturmeric.com
Instagram: @teanturmeric
Email: hello@teaandturmeric.com
This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Episode Length: 11:29
Category: Wellness, Health, Gut Health, Digestion, Ayurveda, Agni, Microbiome, Herbal Tea, Immune System, Orange County
Publish Date: July 17, 2026
Location: Laguna Beach, Orange County, California
