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THE SCENTED LIFETHE SCENTED LIFETHE SCENTED LIFE EMPLOYEE WHOLE HEALTH AROMATHERAPY EDITIONEMPLOYEE WHOLE HEALTH AROMATHERAPY EDITIONEMPLOYEE WHOLE HEALTH AROMATHERAPY EDITION VOL. 01 OCTOBER 2026 CLOVE AND CARDAMOM ESSENTIAL OIL CLOVE AND CARDAMOM ESSENTIAL OIL CLOVE AND CARDAMOM ESSENTIAL OIL WHOLE HEALTH ESCAPE GAME WHOLE HEALTH ESCAPE GAME WHOLE HEALTH ESCAPE GAME The Spice Cabinet goes Aromatic
TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION 01 02 03 04 WHOLE HEALTH ESCAPE GAME CLOVE AND CARDAMOM ESSENTIAL OIL Whole Health Sharepoint UNTILL NEXT TIME A R O M A T H E R A P Y E D I T I O N E M P L O Y E E W H O L E H E A L T HO C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
Dear Reader, Between work, appointments, family, and everyday responsibilities, it can be easy to put your own well- being last. This magazine is an invitation to pause and explore what helps you feel more connected to yourself and the life you want to live. Inside, you’ll find aromatherapy education, seasonal inspiration, mindful moments, creative activities, and puzzles just for fun. You might discover a new plant, spend a few minutes with a meditation, or follow the clues through a mystery. Each page offers a different place to begin. At the heart of Whole Health is a simple question: What matters to you? Your answer might be spending time with loved ones, feeling more rested, returning to a favorite hobby, or making room for something new. Whatever your priorities, small choices can help you move toward them. For our Veterans, we hope these pages offer space to explore interests, enjoy a challenge, and reflect on what supports a meaningful life. You don’t have to read every article or complete every activity. Start with the page that catches your attention. Take what feels useful, leave what doesn’t, and return whenever you wish. Aromas are always optional; you can participate in mindful moments without using a scent. My hope is that you find something here that sparks your curiosity, brings a smile, or reminds you that caring for yourself deserves a place in your day. Welcome. Make yourself comfortable, and turn the page. Warmly, Jessica Hughes CIH Consultant Clinical Aromatherapist | Whole Health hello. A little curiosity. A little connection. A moment for you.1
As October settles in and porches fill with pumpkins, two essential oils are earning their place beside the cinnamon sticks: clove and cardamom. Where they come from Clove oil is steam-distilled from the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen native to Indonesia's Maluku Islands, the fabled Spice Islands. Today most clove oil comes from Indonesia, Madagascar, Tanzania's Zanzibar archipelago, and Sri Lanka. Cardamom oil comes from the seeds of Elettaria cardamomum, a member of the ginger family native to the rainforests of southern India's Western Ghats. India still grows it, but Guatemala is now the world's largest exporter. How to use them this October • Halloween gatherings: Diffuse in the entryway to greet trick-or-treaters with a scent that reads as "fresh baking." • Samhain and harvest tables: Add a drop of each to a bowl of dried orange slices, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks. • Pomanders: Stud oranges with whole cloves, then refresh the scent with a drop of cardamom oil. • Cozy evenings: Diffuse cardamom on its own for a softer, sweeter warmth. A word of caution: clove oil is rich in eugenol and can irritate skin, so dilute it heavily (about 0.5%) for topical use, and diffuse with care around children and pets. THE SPICE CABINET GOES AROMATICTHE SPICE CABINET GOES AROMATICTHE SPICE CABINET GOES AROMATIC CLOVE AND CARDAMOM A R O M A T H E R A P Y E D I T I O N E M P L O Y E E W H O L E H E A L T H Diffuser recipe: October Hearth •4 Drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) •2 Drops Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) •1 Drop Clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum) •1 Drop Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) Add to a water-filled diffuser and run for 30 to 60 minutes. Clove and cardamom essential oils offer several health benefits that can be especially helpful during the holiday season in October: Clove Essential Oil Benefits: Immune Support: Clove oil has strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which can help support the immune system which is important during the cold and flu season starting around October. Respiratory Health: It may help relieve congestion and soothe respiratory issues when diffused or used in steam inhalation. Pain Relief: Clove oil has natural analgesic properties that can help relieve muscle aches, headaches, or toothaches, common during busy holiday times. Mood Booster: Its warm, spicy scent is uplifting and can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a cozy and calming holiday atmosphere. Cardamom Essential Oil Benefits: Digestive Aid: Cardamom is known to support digestion, helping to soothe stomach discomfort or indigestion from holiday meals. Respiratory Relief: Like clove, cardamom essential oil can help clear the respiratory tract and support easier breathing. Mood Enhancer: Its sweet and spicy aroma can uplift mood, reduce fatigue, and help combat holiday stress. Anti-inflammatory: Cardamom has anti-inflammatory properties that can support overall wellness during the colder months. O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
Have fun! Where thoughts happen A peaceful feeling Kind attention or supportPLAY SOLO OR WITH A PARTNER | ABOUT 10 MINUTES Bonus: Choose one small way to bring this word into your week. Three pots sit left to right: Mint, Rosemary and Aloe. Find their order. - Mint is somewhere to the left of Rosemary. - Aloe is not in the leftmost spot. - Rosemary is not in the rightmost spot. LEFT: ______________ MIDDLE: ______________ RIGHT: __________________ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ____ Unscramble each word. Use the clue, then copy the requested letter into the password slots below. The shelf reveals the reading order! Read the password letters for the LEFT plant, then MIDDLE plant, then RIGHT plant. Finish with the ghost's letter. OCTOBER | WHOLE HEALTH ESCAPE GAME Escape the Haunted GreenhouseMint = CA.) L A P Y B.) D N I M C.) L A C M D.) R A C ERosemary = DAloe = AGhost = B Say your password to the ghost to unlock the greenhouse! You stop by the greenhouse for an autumn wellness night. Click! The door locks. A friendly ghost appears: "No scares here, just three little tests! Solve them to find the four-letter password."1. THE MIXED-UP POTIONS3. THE MOONLIT MESSAGE2. THE GHOST'S PLANT SHELF2nd letter1st letter1st letter2nd letterYOUR PASSWORD:____ ________ ____
Until Next Time Keep growing. Stay curious. Make room for yourself. Thank you for spending a little time with us. Whether you tried a mindful moment, explored a new aroma, solved a mystery, or found an idea to share, we hope these pages brought something meaningful to your day. Whole Health begins with what matters to you and your voice can help shape what comes next.Have an aromatherapy question?Send it in! What would you like to learn about essential oils, scent, or safe aromatherapy practices? Your question could inspire a future “Ask the Aromatherapist” feature.Have an idea for Employee Whole Health?We want to hear it. Share your suggestions for activities, workshops, creative breaks, or ways to help employees feel supported and connected. Small ideas can make a difference.A Shout Out to Wellness Wednesdays!Join us Wednesdays at noon for a chance to pause, connect, and make space for your well-being. Give yourself something to look forward to in the middle of the week. What is one small thing I can do this week to care for myself? Start there. We look forward to hearing your questions, welcoming your ideas, and continuing this Whole Health journey together.