I've gotten the occasional headache for as long as I can remember, but the first time I experienced a migraine [1] was about a decade ago. It felt like someone was drilling into my skull, and once it was over, I prayed that it had simply been a fluke and would never happen again. Unfortunately, migraines have remained a constant companion [2] in my life ever since, and I've spent the past 10 years on a quest to reduce the frequency of the attacks and alleviate the pain.
When I feel a migraine coming on, ideally I'll go into a dark room armed with an ice pack, chug water, and wait for it to pass. Of course, migraines often strike at times when this isn't an option: during meetings, at special events, and (*shudder*) on cross-country flights.
I usually take a dose of an over-the-counter migraine pain reliever [3] as soon as I feel a headache coming on, but the effect is pretty minimal. Still, I always keep a bottle with me, because anything that alleviates even a fraction of the pain is my friend. Last year, I decided to get a little more creative and went on a search for other products that might help ease the pain. I browsed forums where people who experience migraines commiserate and swap tips and did as much research as possible. Because I travel several times a month, I specifically wanted something small that's easy to keep with me at all times and meets the TSA regulations for carry-on luggage.
After trying a number of products without much luck, I stumbled upon the Saje Natural Wellness Peppermint Halo Cooling & Soothing Oil Blend [5] ($28). I liked the affordable price tag, and a friend who also suffers from migraines told me it had helped her. It comes in a roll-on applicator and is super easy to use: you simply apply it to your temples and hairline to create a halo effect. You can also put it on your neck and shoulders, which I recommend doing if your body feels tense.
The Peppermint Halo is fast acting — I typically begin to feel the cooling relief within five minutes.
There's no silver bullet to cure a migraine, but the Peppermint Halo is the first product I've tried that both eases some of the pain and helps keep my anxiety under control. (Like many people who experience migraines [6], I also have an anxiety disorder, and my anxiety amps up when I have a migraine attack.) The cooling effect provides some relief, and it's especially helpful when I don't have the option of going into a dark room with my ice packs. Applying the blend takes less than a minute, so I just need to duck into the restroom for a moment. It's also fast acting — I typically begin to feel the cooling relief within five minutes.
Although the main ingredient is peppermint, the Peppermint Halo also contains lavender and rosemary [7], both of which have been shown to decrease cortisol [8], the body's stress hormone. In addition to soothing my throbbing head, the scent also eases my anxiety, which almost always accompanies my migraines — especially when I'm in public, instead of the comfort of my own home.
It's especially been a lifesaver when I have a migraine right before a presentation or important meeting. Although the migraine doesn't go away, the Peppermint Halo reduces the pain and anxiety just enough that I can think straight and complete the task at hand. It's also made a number of flights more bearable. I'll continue to search for that elusive cure, but for now, I never leave the house without this small wonder.