Every year, as winter begins, those of us living in and around Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and NCR face the same challenge — dense smog, high AQI levels, and the discomfort that comes with prolonged exposure to polluted air.
This season has been no different. Many of you have written to us describing dry coughs, throat irritation, breathlessness, sinus congestion, and an overall heaviness in the chest.
As someone who has been blending teas for more than four decades, I often turn to what Ayurveda has taught us for centuries — that nature offers gentle ways to support our daily wellbeing.
While nothing replaces clean air or medical care when needed, warm, herbal infusions can be a simple, comforting ritual during days when the air feels heavy and the body feels burdened.
One such infusion we crafted at SANCHA is our Happy Breathing Herbal Tea — a caffeine-free blend inspired by traditional Ayurvedic herbs known for their refreshing and clarifying nature. This wasn’t created as a product to “fix” anything, but as a soothing companion for difficult pollution days.
🌿 Why I Chose These Herbs
Each ingredient in this blend was selected for its aroma, warmth, or traditional association with respiratory comfort.
Eucalyptus
Its natural menthol-like vapours have long been appreciated for helping the senses feel open and refreshed. When steeped in hot water, it creates an experience similar to gentle, aromatic steam.
Peppermint & Spearmint
Cool, crisp, and uplifting — these leaves add a lightness that many people find soothing when the air feels heavy or when sinuses feel blocked.
Bael Fruit
An ingredient I personally love for its grounding nature. It gives body to the infusion and adds a soft sweetness.
Long Pepper & Black Pepper
Traditional Ayurvedic spices that bring warmth. This warmth balances the cooling herbs and helps create a harmonious cup.
Dried Ginger
A familiar comfort. Many of us grew up drinking ginger-infused kadhas during changing seasons. It adds depth, warmth, and a sense of ease.
🌫️ A Gentle Daily Ritual During High Pollution Days
Your body deals with a great deal during high-AQI weeks. A warm cup of herbal infusion—of any kind, not just ours—can help you:
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Stay hydrated
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Soothe a stressed or irritated throat
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Enjoy the calming effect of natural aromas
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Support your body as it manages the impact of polluted air
A few of our regulars have shared that breathing in the steam while the tea steeps has become part of their wind-down routine in the evening.
If you choose to try this blend, it’s best enjoyed 2–3 times a day, slowly, like a pause in a busy day.
🌱 A Few Notes on Crafting This Tea
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It is 100% caffeine-free
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Blended in small batches for freshness
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Packed in biodegradable pyramid tea bags
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Made only with whole herbs and spices, never extracts
If you’d like to explore it, you can find it here:
👉 https://sanchatea.com/products/happy-breathing-caffeine-free-herbal-tea-1?_pos=1&_psq=HAPPY+BREA&_ss=e&_v=1.0
But more importantly, whether through tea, warm water, steam inhalation, or simple home remedies, take a few mindful moments for your wellbeing through this difficult pollution season.
Stay safe, breathe gently, and take care.
