Can Peppermint Oil Really Ease Migraine Symptoms?

I used to have a four-hour round-trip commute to the office, involving a car, a frequently delayed commuter train and the subway. I often had mild migraine attacks during this time (and I was always in a bad mood). The headache, nausea and scent sensitivity would typically set in when I was sitting on an overheated train, knee-to-knee with three other exhausted commuters, hurtling toward Hamilton, Ont. at the end of a long week. 

As soon as I felt that dreaded trio of symptoms descend, I’d dig through my bag for my Saje Peppermint Halo Headache Remedy roller, vigorously apply it to my temples, close my eyes and pray that I didn’t throw up on anyone’s dress shoes. And you know what? It always made me feel better.

As it turns out, I’m not the only one who has found relief for mild migraine symptoms via a $34 rollerball. Here’s what you need to know about peppermint essential oil for migraine.

What is migraine?

“Migraine is a brain disease that features headaches,” says Dr. Christine Lay, director of Women’s College Hospital’s Centre for Headache in Toronto. As per Migraine Canada, “a cascade of events” leads to the release of inflammatory molecules near sensitive nerves in the head. Aside from headache, symptoms can include nausea, brain fog, dizziness, mood changes and neck pain (which 80 percent of people with migraine will experience, says Lay). 

A migraine attack may also involve sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and movement. By comparison, a tension headache is what Lay refers to as featureless. “There’s no light or scent sensitivity and no nausea,” she says.

Interestingly, Lay notes that many people with migraine have some history of motion sickness as well as colic, which she calls “the earliest manifestation of migraine.” 

Migraine is both the number-one reason people take sick days, says Lay, and the number-one reason for presenteeism (showing up to work when you’re not 100 percent).

A migraine diagnosis is the first step to treating this condition, whether it’s with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medication, prescription pharmaceuticals or even Botox. 

(For a more in-depth explainer on migraine symptoms, causes and treatments, read this piece by fellow sufferer Brett Tryon.)

What triggers migraine?

Migraine can be triggered by weather changes, hormone fluctuations (including menopause), stress and a lack of sleep, among other factors.

Many people who have migraine note that bright lights or strong scents are triggers, but Lay says it might be the other way around. “The migraine brain is hypersensitive,” she says. “People might think that a strong smell caused the migraine to come on, but it’s more likely that they were experiencing an increased awareness of the smell.”

According to Lay, people with migraine are most likely to be sensitive to pungent scents like exhaust fumes and perfume. 

Can certain scents ease migraine symptoms?

It seems counterintuitive—given the relationship between migraine and scent sensitivity—that some scents might actually alleviate migraine symptoms. When I spoke to Lay for this piece, I fully expected to hear that my peppermint roller relief was a case of placebo effect. Instead, she tells me that many migraine sufferers find essential oils helpful—but the bigger question is why.

The relief, she explains, could merely be a matter of distraction. (Not necessarily a bad thing, but it could prevent you from taking medication that would actually treat your symptoms in a timely fashion.) On the other hand, Lay says some research suggests certain scents—including peppermint as well as frankincense and lavender—may help reduce migraine symptoms. A 2019 study, for instance, found that peppermint essential oil applied nasally provided similar relief to lidocaine during migraine attacks in 40 percent of patients.

“It’s not a universal thing,” she says. “You have to discover what works for you.”

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As I've discovered again and again, Saje Peppermint Halo is what works for me. And while there are many peppermint essential oil rollers on the market, I like this one for two reasons. For starters, the roller has a unique dual-ended design (so you can either roll the product directly onto your temples, or dilute a few drops into hot water and then inhale). Secondly, it’s made in Canada. 

Peppermint Halo was Saje’s first product, says Kristin Rondeau, senior manager of education for Saje Natural Wellness, which is based in Vancouver. “It started the brand.”

Saje was founded in 1992 by Vancouver couple Kate Ross LeBlanc and Jean-Pierre LeBlanc. Jean-Pierre, a chemist who formerly worked in the pharmaceutical industry, formulated Peppermint Halo—a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary oils—after suffering from tension headaches related to fibromyalgia. 

“He began exploring different modalities and ultimately found aromatherapy,” says Rondeau. Today, one roller is sold every two minutes. 

If you’re new to Peppermint Halo, Rondeau suggests applying to the hairline and temples (and always away from the eyes). “If you have sensitive skin or want a lower concentration of essential oil you can dilute the product in a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut,” she says. “The product is intentionally strong, for strong results.” She also notes that it should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or by children.

These days, thankfully, my commute is way shorter—but I still reach for my peppermint roller at the first signs of migraine. And unlike the commuter train system I rode for years, it never lets me down.

Saje Peppermint Halo Headache Remedy, $34 for 10 mL