A vintage illustration of a man in a suit with a beard, pointing at a large, snake-like creature emerging from a cloud or smoke.

Tonic Facial Balm — Field Notes

Unguentum Tonicum Faciei — Formula Restitutio

 

Autumn Into Winter: A Ritual of Skin Restoration

As cold air strips moisture from skin, as wind chaps and tightens, as the barrier between self and season grows thin — this is when we reach for the plants that seal and soothe, restoring integrity where dryness bites.

Warm a small amount between fingertips. Press into clean, slightly damp skin — morning or evening, or both.
Let oils rich in lipid nourishment and vitamin resilience sink deep.
Let centella, calendula, and comfrey repair what is raw.
Let rosehip support elasticity and renewal.
Let frankincense and benzoin calm inflammation and protect delicate tissue.
Let May Chang, cypress, and lemon myrtle lift the senses with a refined citrus–evergreen clarity.

Not the drama of crisis — the quiet intelligence of plants that mend, seal, and restore the skin’s natural resilience.

BOSWELLIA spp.

Frankincense Resin — Olibanum

Where It Lives
Frankincense exudes from desert mountains — Oman, Somalia, Ethiopia — where survival depends on resilience.

The Harvest
Resin tears form where the bark is tapped — sun-hard crystals rich in aromatic and protective compounds.

Folklore & Medicine
A sacred resin of temples and rites, long used to comfort skin exposed to harsh winds and desert heat.
— Evidence Note: Boswellic acids help calm inflammatory stress and support skin repair.

STYRAX BENZOIN

Benzoin Resin

Where It Lives
Harvested from forest gardens in northern Sumatra — a reciprocal tradition of resin and care.

The Harvest
Resin collected from gentle cuts in the bark, aged as it strengthens into warm, vanilla-toned tears.

Folklore & Medicine
Burned for calm and protection in sacred spaces; today valued for comforting sensitive skin.
— Evidence Note: Benzoic acid and esters show protective, antimicrobial and soothing actions.

LITSEA CUBEBA

May Chang — Mountain Pepper

Where It Lives
A luminous citrus note from Southeast Asian mountains and river valleys.

The Harvest
Aromatics distilled primarily from the small green fruits.

Folklore & Medicine
Traditionally uplifting — a bright antidote to heaviness.
— Evidence Note: Gently antimicrobial, helps maintain skin clarity.

CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS

Mediterranean Cypress

Where It Lives
Evergreen sentinel of Mediterranean sunlight and sea air.

The Harvest
Oil derived from its young twigs and needles.

Folklore & Medicine
Symbol of endurance and protection — supporting circulation and tone.
— Evidence Note: Astringent actions can support skin firmness and microcirculation.

BACKHOUSIA CITRIODORA

Lemon Myrtle — Queen of the Lemon Herbs

Where It Lives
Native to subtropical Queensland, thriving along waterways and rainforest edges.

The Harvest
Oil distilled from glossy leaves high in citral.

Folklore & Medicine
Aboriginal use spans nourishment, scent, and relief of irritation.
— Evidence Note: High citral content offers clarifying, antimicrobial support to the skin’s surface.

CENTELLA, ROSEHIP, COMFREY & CALENDULA

(Infused Oils)

Herbs of renewal —
Centella stimulates collagen production and microcirculation.
Rosehip nourishes the skin’s lipid barrier and elasticity.
Comfrey comforts fragile tissue.
Calendula restores balance where dryness inflames.
— Evidence Note: These botanicals are well-recognised for supporting barrier repair and visible skin comfort.

These notes honour tradition and ecology. Full dosage and safety guidance live in the monographs.

Seasonal Tonics | Autumn into Winter — Jo Browne
© Jo Browne

 

 

References

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Seasonal Tonics | Autumn in winter by Jo Browne

© Jo Browne

Illustration of a plant with three flowering stalks and green leaves.