治劳瘵发热，或喘或嗽，或自汗，或心中怔忡，或因小便不利，致大便滑泻，及一切阴分亏
生怀山药（四两，切片） 煮汁两大碗，以之当茶，徐徐温饮之。
山药之性，能滋阴又能利湿，能滑润又能收涩。是以能补肺补肾兼补脾胃。且其含蛋白质最
多，在滋补药中诚为无上之品，特性甚和平，宜多服常服耳。
陈修园谓∶山药为寻常服食之物，不能治大病，非也。若果不治大病，何以《金匮》治劳瘵有
薯蓣丸。尝治一室女，温病痰喘，投以小青龙加石膏汤，又遵《伤寒论》加减法，去麻黄加
杏仁，喘遂定。时已近暮，一夜安稳。至黎明喘大作，脉散乱如水上浮麻，不分至数，此将
脱之候也。取药不及，适有生山药两许，急煮汁饮之，喘稍定，脉稍敛，可容取药，方中仍
重用山药而愈（详案在仙露汤下）。
一室女，月信年余未见，已成劳瘵，卧床不起。治以拙拟资生汤，复俾日用生山
药四两，煮汁当茶饮之，一月之后，体渐复初，月信亦通。
一妇人，产后十余日，大喘大汗，身热劳嗽。医者用黄 、熟地、白芍等药，汗出愈多。后
愚诊视，脉甚虚弱，数至七至，审证论脉，似在不治。俾其急用生山药六两，煮汁徐徐
饮之，饮完添水重煮，一昼夜所饮之水，皆取于山药中。翌日又换山药六两，仍如此煮饮之
。三日后诸病皆愈。
一人，年四十余，得温病十余日，外感之火已消十之八九。大便忽然滑下，喘息迫促，且有
烦渴之意。其脉甚虚，两尺微按即无。亦急用生山药六两，煎汁两大碗，徐徐温饮下，以之
当茶，饮完煎渣再饮，两日共享山药十八两，喘与烦渴皆愈，大便亦不滑泻。
附录∶
直隶青县张××来函∶
侄女××，已于归数载，因患瘰 证成痨，喘嗽不休，或自汗，或心中怔忡，来函索方。余揣此系阴分亏损已极所
致。
俾先用一味薯蓣饮，每日用生怀山药四两，煮汁两大碗，当茶频频温饮之。不数剂，喘定汗止，咳嗽亦见轻。继又兼服
薯蓣粥，作点心用之，渐渐全愈。
奉天法库县万××来函∶
家慈患痰喘咳嗽病，三十年于兹矣。百方不效，且年愈高，病愈进。乃于今春宿病既发，又添发灼、咽干、头汗出、食
不下等证。生虽习医，此时惟战兢不敢处方，遂请一宿医诊视，云是痰盛有火，孰知是肺气与脾阴肾阴将虚竭也。与人
参清肺汤，加生地、丹皮等味，服二剂，非特未效，遂发灼如火，更添泄泻，有不可终日之势。于是不敢延医，自选用
资生汤方，服一剂，亦无显效。转思此时方中于术、牛蒡子、鸡内金等味有未合也。因改用一味薯蓣饮，用生怀山药四
两，加玄参三钱。服一剂见效，二剂大见效，三剂即病愈强半矣。后乃改用薯蓣粥，用生怀山药一两为细末，煮作粥，
少调以白糖，每日两次当点心服之。又间进开胃之药。旬余而安。
【背景信息】
书名：《医学衷中参西录》 作者：张锡纯 朝代：清 章节：4．一味薯蓣饮 类别：医论
【原文翻译】
治疗虚劳（一种以阴虚内热、形体消瘦为主要特征的慢性消耗性疾病）引起的发热，或者伴有气喘或咳嗽，或者自汗（白天不因活动而自然出汗），或者心中悸动不安（怔忡），或者因为小便不通利，导致大便滑脱泄泻，以及一切阴分亏损的病症。
处方：生怀山药（四两，切片）。
用法：煮出两大碗汁液，将其当作茶水，慢慢温热饮用。
山药的药性，既能滋阴又能利湿，既能滑润肠道又能收敛固涩。因此它能同时补益肺、肾和脾胃。而且它含有最丰富的蛋白质，在滋补药物中确实是最上等的佳品，其药性非常平和，适宜多服、常服。
陈修园曾说：山药是平常的食物，不能治疗大病，这是不对的。如果真不能治疗大病，为什么《金匮要略》中治疗虚劳病有薯蓣丸呢？
我曾治疗一位未婚女子，患有温病（感受温热邪气引起的外感热病）导致的痰喘，投用小青龙加石膏汤，又遵循《伤寒论》的加减法，去掉麻黄加入杏仁，气喘于是平息。当时已接近傍晚，一夜安稳。到了黎明时分气喘大作，脉象散乱如水上浮麻，分不清至数和脉率，这是阳气将脱的危候。取药来不及，恰好有两许生山药，急忙煮汁给她喝，气喘稍定，脉象稍敛，可以等待取药回来，方中仍重用山药才治愈（详细医案见“仙露汤”条下）。
另一位未婚女子，月经一年多没来，已经形成虚劳病，卧床不起。我用我拟定的资生汤治疗，又让她每天用生山药四两，煮汁当茶饮用，一个月之后，身体逐渐恢复如初，月经也通畅了。
一位妇人，产后十多天，出现大喘大汗，身体发热并伴有劳嗽（虚劳咳嗽）。医生使用黄芪、熟地黄、白芍等药，结果汗出更多。后来我诊视，脉象非常虚弱，一息七至（脉搏极快），审察证候与脉象，似乎属于不治之症。让她急用生山药六两，煮汁慢慢饮用，喝完加水重新煮，一昼夜所喝的水，都取自于山药中。第二天又换生山药六两，仍然这样煮饮。三天后各种病症都痊愈了。
一个人，四十多岁，患温病十多天，外感的火热之邪已经消退十之八九。大便忽然滑脱下注，喘息急促，并且有烦渴之意。他的脉象很虚，两尺脉轻按即无。也急用生山药六两，煎汁两大碗，慢慢温热饮下，把它当茶喝，喝完渣再煎，两天共用了十八两山药，气喘和烦渴都好了，大便也不再滑泻。
附录：
直隶青县张××来信说：
侄女××，出嫁几年了，因患瘰疬（颈部淋巴结结核）证成虚劳，气喘咳嗽不停，有时自汗，有时心中悸动不安，来函索要药方。我推测这是由于阴分亏损到了极点所致。
让她先用一味薯蓣饮，每天用生怀山药四两，煮出两大碗汁，当茶频频温热饮用。没过几剂，气喘停止，汗止住，咳嗽也减轻。接着又兼服薯蓣粥，作为点心食用，渐渐完全痊愈。
奉天法库县万××来信说：
家母患痰喘咳嗽病，三十年了。各种方法都不见效，而且年纪越高，病情越重。今年春天宿疾发作，又添发灼热感、咽干、头汗出、吃不下饭等症状。我虽然学过医，此时只敢战战兢兢不敢开处方，于是请一位老中医诊视，说是痰盛有火，谁知其实是肺气与脾阴、肾阴将要虚竭。给人参清肺汤，加生地、丹皮等味，服两剂，不仅没效，反而发热如火，更添泄泻，有不可终日之势。于是不敢再延请医生，自己选用资生汤方，服一剂，也没有明显效果。转而思考此时方中的白术、牛蒡子、鸡内金等味不合时宜。于是改用一味薯蓣饮，用生怀山药四两，加玄参三钱。服一剂见效，两剂大见效，三剂病就好了大半。后来改用薯蓣粥，用生怀山药一两研为细末，煮作粥，少调白糖，每日两次当点心服用。又间断进服开胃的药物。十几天后便安定了。
[Background Information]
Book Title: *Yixue Zhongzhong Canxi Lu* (Records of Medical Practice Integrating Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine)
Author: Zhang Xichun
Dynasty: Qing
Chapter: 4. Yiwai Shuyin Decoction (Single-Ingredient Yam Decoction)
Category: Medical Treatise
[Translation]
Indicated for fever caused by consumptive disease (a chronic wasting syndrome characterized by yin deficiency and internal heat), or accompanied by panting or coughing, spontaneous sweating (sweating without exertion), palpitations (restlessness and fearfulness in the heart), or due to difficult urination leading to loose stools and diarrhea, as well as any condition involving depletion of the Yin aspect.
Prescription: Raw Huai Shan Yao (Dioscorea opposita, four taels, sliced).
Usage: Boil to obtain two large bowls of decoction. Drink it warm slowly, treating it like tea.
The nature of Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) is capable of nourishing Yin and promoting diuresis/dampness resolution; it is both moistening and astringent. Therefore, it can tonify the Lung, Kidney, and Spleen/Stomach simultaneously. Moreover, it contains the highest amount of protein among tonifying herbs, making it truly an supreme product in this category. Its medicinal property is very mild and peaceful, suitable for frequent and long-term consumption.
Chen Xiuyuan stated that "Shan Yao is an ordinary food item and cannot treat serious illnesses," which is incorrect. If it truly could not treat serious illnesses, why does the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) contain Shuyu Wan (Shuyu Pill) for treating consumptive disease?
I once treated a young unmarried woman who suffered from phlegm-panting due to a warm disease (an exogenous febrile disease caused by warm pathogenic factors). I administered Xiao Qing Long Jia Shi Gao Tang (Minor Blue Green Dragon Decoction plus Gypsum), and following the modification rules of the *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), removed Ma Huang (Ephedra) and added Xing Ren (Apricot Seed). The panting subsided. It was near dusk, and she slept peacefully through the night. At dawn, the panting worsened significantly. Her pulse was disordered, floating like hemp seeds on water, indistinguishable in degree and rate, indicating a impending collapse of Yang Qi. There was no time to fetch medicine. Fortunately, there were about two liang of raw Shan Yao available. I urgently boiled it into a decoction and had her drink it. The panting slightly stabilized, and the pulse became slightly gathered, allowing time to fetch the prescribed medicine. The prescription still heavily relied on Shan Yao, and she recovered (for the detailed case record, see under "Xian Lu Tang").
Another young unmarried woman had not menstruated for over a year and had developed consumptive disease, leaving her bedridden. I treated her with Zisheng Tang (Nourishing Life Decoction), which I formulated, and instructed her to consume four taels of raw Shan Yao daily, boiled into a decoction to be drunk like tea. After one month, her body gradually returned to normal, and her menstruation resumed.
A woman, more than ten days postpartum, presented with severe panting, profuse sweating, fever, and consumptive cough. The attending physician used Huang Qi (Astragalus), Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), etc., resulting in even more sweating. Later, I examined her. Her pulse was extremely weak, beating seven times per breath (tachycardia). Assessing the symptoms and pulse, it seemed untreatable. I instructed her to urgently use six taels of raw Shan Yao, boil it into a decoction, and drink it slowly. After finishing, add water and re-boil. All the water consumed throughout the day and night was derived from the Shan Yao. The next day, replace with another six taels of raw Shan Yao and continue boiling and drinking. After three days, all ailments resolved.
A man, in his forties, had suffered from a warm disease for over ten days. The external heat from the pathogen had dissipated by eighty to ninety percent. Suddenly, he experienced loose stools and diarrhea, urgent panting, and irritability with thirst. His pulse was very deficient; the Chi positions (Kidney pulse at the wrist) disappeared upon light pressure. I also urgently used six taels of raw Shan Yao, decocted into two large bowls, and had him drink it warm slowly, treating it as tea. He drank the dregs after the liquid, consuming a total of eighteen taels of Shan Yao over two days. The panting and irritability/thirst resolved, and the loose stools stopped.
Appendix:
Letter from Zhang XX of Qing County, Zhili:
My niece XX has been married for several years. She contracted scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis) which progressed to consumptive disease, resulting in incessant panting and coughing, occasional spontaneous sweating, and occasional palpitations. She wrote to request a prescription. I surmised this was caused by extreme depletion of the Yin aspect.
I advised her to first use Yiwai Shuyin Decoction, using four taels of raw Huai Shan Yao daily, boiled into two large bowls of decoction, to be drunk frequently and warm like tea. Within a few doses, the panting ceased, sweating stopped, and the cough lightened. Subsequently, she took Shuyu Porridge (Yam Porridge) as a snack, and gradually recovered completely.
Letter from Wan XX of Faku County, Fengtian:
My mother has suffered from phlegm-panting and cough for thirty years. Various remedies proved ineffective, and the older she got, the worse the illness became. This spring, her chronic illness relapsed, accompanied by sensations of burning heat, dry throat, sweating on the head, and inability to eat. Although I have studied medicine, I trembled with fear and dared not prescribe at this moment. Thus, I invited an old doctor to examine her. He claimed it was excessive phlegm with fire, but I realized it was actually the impending exhaustion of Lung Qi, Spleen Yin, and Kidney Yin. He prescribed Renshen Qingfei Tang (Ginseng Lung-Clearing Decoction) with additions of Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) and Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex). After two doses, not only was there no effect, but she developed intense burning heat and added diarrhea, appearing critical. Therefore, I dared not seek further medical help and self-selected Zisheng Tang. One dose showed no obvious effect. I then reconsidered that the Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Niu Bang Zi (Arctium Fruit), and Ji Nei Jin (Chicken Gizzard Lining) in the formula were inappropriate for this stage. Consequently, I switched to Yiwai Shuyin Decoction, using four taels of raw Huai Shan Yao plus three qian of Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root). One dose showed improvement, two doses showed significant improvement, and after three doses, half the illness was cured. Later, I switched to Shuyu Porridge, using one tael of raw Huai Shan Yao ground into fine powder, cooked into porridge, sweetened with a little white sugar, taken twice daily as a snack. Intermittently, I administered appetite-stimulating medicines. After more than ten days, she stabilized.