Utilization of ayurveda and other indigenous medicinal systems for chronic diseases among older adults in India: evidence from LASI

India’s medical landscape promotes traditional indigenous systems of medicine AYUS (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa) apart from biomedicine. These codified health systems are often used for chronic diseases, yet the extent of their sole and complementary use with biomedicine remains poorly documented in existing literature. This study aimed to determine the patterns and predictors of AYUSH utilization, both exclusively and as a complementary therapy, for chronic conditions among older Indian adults using nationally representative data. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), encompassing 72,262 respondents aged 45 years and older. Outcome variables were defined for the utilization of AYUSH, traditional medicine, and patterns of healthcare seeking (exclusive AYUSH, exclusive biomedicine, or both). Weighted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify key sociodemographic, economic, and health-related determinants of utilizing these medicinal systems. The overall prevalence of AYUSH utilization was 7.35% [95% CI: 7.02%, 7.69], exclusive AYUSH use was 0.67% [0.58%, 0.77%], and as complementary therapy was 6.68% [6.35%, 7.01%]. Daily yoga was practiced by 9.13% of participants. Significantly higher adjusted odds (aOR) for AYUSH use were observed in women (aOR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.04–1.29), rural residents (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.17–1.48), and individuals with skin diseases (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.10–1.58). For exclusive AYUSH users, the most commonly managed conditions were hypertension (24.34%), arthritis (23.21%), and GERD (23.21%). Similarly, complementary therapy was most prevalent for hypertension (24.69%), GERD (22.69%), and arthritis (21.23%). Among patients with Diabetes, 10.17% used AYUSH exclusively, and 7.78% utilized complementary care. A considerable number of older adults in India with chronic diseases use indigenous traditional medical systems, often alongside biomedicine. This highlights an urgent need for evidence-based guidelines to ensure safe and effective traditional, complementary, and integrated healthcare within India.