How Akshi Khandelwal Is Turning Ayurveda Into A Lifestyle For India’s Urban Millennials

Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], July 29: India’s wellness market continues to evolve, and entrepreneurs like Akshi Khandelwal are working to make Ayurveda more accessible and practical for the modern age. As the Founder and CEO of Butterfly Ayurveda & Cafe Swasthya, Khandelwal has spent the past decade changing how people perceive, consume, and benefit from Ayurvedic care.

Launched in 2014, Butterfly Ayurveda began as a research-led initiative aimed at developing Ayurvedic products that align with contemporary health needs. The company now offers over 50 formulations spanning teas, cookies, medicines, and supplements – all developed in-house through meticulous R&D. “We develop a holistic range of wellness products that can be integrated into modern-day routines,” says Khandelwal. “Our focus is on compatibility, efficacy, and accessibility.”

But her journey into wellness didn’t begin with Ayurveda alone.

With a master’s degree in International Development Economics from Yale University and rigorous training in Shaolin Kungfu, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong under Shi Yan Xiang – a 34th Generation Shaolin Warrior Monk – Khandelwal’s worldview is a blend of academic inquiry, bodily discipline, and spiritual awareness. Her diverse background, including classical dance, shaped a lifelong interest in mind-body balance. Over time, this philosophy would become the foundation of Butterfly Ayurveda’s mission.

A Name Rooted in Transformation

The name “Butterfly Ayurveda” carries symbolic weight. “The butterfly stands for the courage to change,” says Khandelwal. “Just as a butterfly transforms through stages, I saw Ayurveda undergoing a similar evolution – emerging from traditional contexts and becoming relevant to modern lifestyles.”

That transformation has been deliberate. In 2013, even before the brand was formally launched, Khandelwal began assembling resources to set up an R&D unit focused on adapting Ayurvedic knowledge for daily lifestyle needs. The approach was clear: combine scientific validation with traditional wisdom, and package it in formats that people can easily understand and adopt.

Personal Purpose Meets Business Strategy

Khandelwal credits Ayurveda for dramatically improving her own health and lifestyle. That lived experience has translated into a founder’s clarity of purpose – one that drives both innovation and expansion.

In 2018, she launched the Butterfly Ayurveda Bakery, a vertical focused on Ayurvedic food products. Today, both units operate out of a GMP-certified manufacturing facility, enabling the brand to scale while adhering to stringent quality controls.

Under her leadership, Butterfly Ayurveda has received industry recognition, including Khandelwal’s selection for the Fortune Women’s Mentoring Partnership in 2019, further validating her vision and business approach.

Yet, the challenges ahead are not lost on her. “One of the most underdiagnosed global health concerns is metabolic dysfunction,” she notes. “It leads to a cascade of issues – cardiovascular problems, liver disorders, general fatigue. Ayurveda offers preventive strategies that can be deeply impactful if integrated early.”

Expanding the Ecosystem: Café Swasthya

In 2023, Butterfly Ayurveda took its philosophy a step further with the launch of Café Swasthya – a boutique Ayurveda-inspired café in Gurugram. The café’s name, derived from the Sanskrit word Swasthya, means “to be rooted in oneself.” This reflects its broader mission: promoting awareness around clean eating, body-mind balance, and preventive care.

At Café Swasthya, the menu is curated not just for taste but also for balance. Recipes are designed to help regulate the body’s Tridosha – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – while using only 100% natural, preservative-free ingredients. Freshly milled flours, seasonal produce, herbs, and spices are sourced from trusted vendors, and no artificial colours or flavours make their way into the kitchen.

“We’re trying to bridge a generational gap,” says Khandelwal. “Many young people are curious about Ayurveda, but they don’t know where to start. Café Swasthya offers an experiential gateway to that world.”

Looking Ahead

The broader mission of Butterfly Ayurveda is to build an ecosystem of awareness, habit change, and healing. This includes expanding product offerings, forging strategic partnerships, and educating consumers – not through jargon, but through tangible experiences.

“We believe change is the only constant,” says Khandelwal. “Whether through our teas, our bakery, or our café, we want to make Ayurveda intuitive, not intimidating. That’s how real transformation happens.”

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