To some, the idea of health that is not beholden to strict notions of biomedical science is already misbegotten. This editorial cannot address this audience, for it believes that it is worth listening to varied knowledge systems. There is now an increased acceptance that the alienation felt by many towards contemporary health practice needs to be taken seriously. This issue contains six articles on the theme of diverse/traditional medical systems, and the need for a nuanced response to the questions they raise with regard to mainstream health practices. One accepts that these diverse/traditional medical systems may be misused, or insufficiently understood; the articles in this issue by Hurford, Rana, and Sachan (1), as well as by Ransing, Kar and Menon make this amply clear (2).