Which bodily fluid is considered 'hot and dry' in the four humors theory?

In the context of the four humors theory, yellow bile is classified as 'hot and dry.' This ancient medical concept, which dates back to Hippocratic medicine, is based on the belief that human health and temperament are influenced by the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.

Yellow bile is thought to be linked with qualities of heat and dryness, which affects a person’s disposition and physical health. It is associated with the choleric temperament—characterized by ambition, leadership, and a tendency towards anger and aggression. This contrasts with blood, which is seen as hot and wet, phlegm as cold and wet, and black bile as cold and dry. Understanding these associations helps to provide insight into how ancient cultures perceived health and illness, as well as how they treated various conditions based on these attributes.