Name | Qualities | Element |
Black Bile | Cold & Dry | Earth |
Yellow Bile | Hot & Dry | Fire |
Blood | Hot & Wet | Air |
Phlegm | Wet & Cold | Water |
It was believed that the quantities of these substances could increase and decrease depending upon activity and diet. A lack of balance—an excess or shortage of one of these substance—resulted in disease. Clearly this is related to the later Western alchemical philosophy that all matter is composed of four elements.