--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only desperation can account for what the…" description: "\"Only desperation can account for what the Chinese do in the name of 'medicine.' That's something you might remind your New Age friends who've gone gaga..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/anthony-bourdain-649_accounts_only-desperation-can-account-for-what-th_1045618.jpg" --- # Only desperation can account for what the Chinese do in… ![“Only desperation can account for what the Chinese do in the name of 'medicine.' That's something you might remind your New Age friends who've gone gaga over 'holistic medicine' and 'alternative Chinese cures.” quote by Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/anthony-bourdain-649_accounts_only-desperation-can-account-for-what-th_1045618.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/anthony-bourdain-649_accounts_only-desperation-can-account-for-what-th_1045618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0e/anthony-bourdain-649_accounts_only-desperation-can-account-for-what-th_1045618.jpg) > “Only desperation can account for what the Chinese do in the name of 'medicine.' That's something you might remind your New Age friends who've gone gaga over 'holistic medicine' and 'alternative Chinese cures.” [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote criticizes the exploitation of traditional Chinese medicine by desperate seekers, implying that such practices are often driven by desperation rather than genuine efficacy. **In simple terms:** People turn to unproven Chinese remedies out of desperation. Key Takeaway Question the motives behind seeking alternative cures. Themes health culture skepticism ethics tradition Mood critical inquisitive Type cultural skeptical When to use this quote - medical tourism - wellness trends - patient decision‑making - policy debate - public health Key Concepts medical anthropology critical thinking consumer protection Questions to Reflect On - What evidence would change your view? - How can we respect tradition while ensuring safety? A Different Perspective Alternative medicine can sometimes offer genuine benefits, and blanket dismissal may ignore cultural value. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Chinese medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-medicine/) [Desperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperation/) [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Holistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holistic/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [New age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-age/) ## Related quotes > [“Calling holistic medicine "alternative medicine" is no longer appropriate. The best approach now is "integrated medicine" in which we take the best of both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candess-m-campbell/calling-holistic-medicine-alternative-medicine-is-no-longer/) Candess M. Campbell > [I believe in holistic medicine, yoga, Pilates and so on. 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