Design Thinking · Capstone · IIT DTI Batch 8.0
Root to Remedy
An invitation to wander the forests of tradition and find a new rhythm for wellness.
Immerse & Empathise
The project began with a simple question: what opportunities might lie hidden between forest and pharmacy? Research spanned health-conscious individuals, wellness coaches, organic farmers, and traditional-medicine practitioners — mapping a herbal ecosystem of consumers, Ayurvedic practitioners, farmers & foragers, product developers, technology enablers, retail platforms, and policy bodies.
Personas: Faces of the Forest
Traditionalist Elder
Deeply trusting; needs preventive health & tradition. Barrier: quality doubts, low tech use.
Wellness Enthusiast
Very engaged; needs holistic lifestyle & longevity. Barrier: proof & quality concerns.
Skeptical Professional
Curious but unsure; needs convenient natural solutions. Barrier: doubts, knowledge gaps.
Fitness Enthusiast
Performance-driven; needs strength & recovery. Barrier: clarity on usage, fast results.
Root Cause: The Real Problem
Low and inconsistent adoption of herbal wellness among urban young professionals in India.
A fishbone analysis traced this back to behaviour (busy lifestyles, no set habits), knowledge gaps, low trust in unbranded products, and a lack of convenient digital tools for discovering and using herbs correctly.
Jobs to Be Done
When I feel tired, stressed, or low on energy, I want to improve my health naturally — so that I feel better without relying on chemicals or quick fixes.
Beyond the functional job, users carried emotional jobs ("I want to feel in control of my health without stress or confusion") and social jobs ("I want to be seen as someone who prioritizes health & wellness — modern and aware").
The Idea: AyuRootine
Bending the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda ("Ayu") with the rhythm of a modern-day wellness routine — a herbal wellness app built around five pillars:
Personalization
Symptom quiz, dosha quiz, allergy filters, user profiles.
Habit Formation
Reminders, progress streaks, gamification with badges for consistency.
Education
Short videos, daily herb facts, myth-busting articles, expert Q&A.
Trust
Certified brand marketplace, user reviews, ingredient sourcing info.
From wireframe to high-fidelity: the AyuRootine app
Storytelling: A Ritual Unfolds
The app opens with "How are you feeling today?" — a quick remedy builder offers a fast, visual ritual in under a minute. A short quiz then learns the user's lifestyle and unlocks a personalized daily herb plan. Bite-sized herb cards, streak trackers, and a saved-remedies toolkit turn a one-time visit into a lasting habit — like having grandma's wisdom in your pocket.
What Testing Revealed
- "Loved the calm tone and simple remedies — felt genuine."
- "Loved the rituals, could actually get me to form a herbal routine!"
- "Felt a bit lost using the habit tracker — how does this help me?"
- "Would be cool if it synced with my fitness tracker."
A fulfilling dive into design, empathy, and ancient wisdom — blending tradition with modern wellness, designed with heart and purpose.
Aarti Luthra — Proud DTI 8.0 Co-Learner