The Chinese name Xiao Feng San Wan literally translates as "clear wind pills." This classical formula is used for various skin discomforts such as red, itchy, scaly skin, and rashes.

Xiao Feng San effectively expels wind, eliminates dampness, clears heat and cools the blood. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), skin conditions such as those mentioned above present when external wind-heat or wind-dampness is allowed to enter the body (often due to a deficiency of protective Qi) where it encounters pre-existing damp-heat. The wind then becomes trapped between the flesh and skin and is unable to vent externally or drain internally. Eventually, it transforms into wind-toxin presenting as red, itchy and/or purulent type skin lesions. The tongue may have a white or yellow coating (indicating the level of heat penetration) and the pulse may be forceful, floating and rapid.

The pattern associated with the formula Xiao Feng San has three primary aspects: wind-heat, dampness and blood-heat. The herbs which compose the formula therefore can be understood by dividing them into three groups.