>>519602043
In the classical Greek system of medicine, depression was said to be caused by a build up of "black bile" in the digestive tract. This buildup slowed down digestion and metabolism and impacted energy and mood, causing people to feel sluggish and low. The solution to black bile buildup (called melancholy, melan "black" and chole "bile") was to take bitter herbs to stimulate digestion, and laxatives to help move the excess buildup out of the digestive system.
On the other side of melancholy was mania. This was said to occur when the black bile got suddenly burnt up and digested quickly, through fasting or some kind of purgative condition.
Today we know that this "black bile" spoken of by the Ancients is not actually bile, but is a bacterial and fungal biofilm that forms as a plaque in our intestines. It causes slow motility, sluggishness and low mood. Depression.
The solution, to get rid of depression?
Bitter herbs, and laxatives.
Just like Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder recommended, many thousands of years ago.