The first product ever created at Saje
Whether you’ve been shopping with us for 30+ years (thank you!) or you’re new to our brand (welcome!), there’s one product that through every iteration of Saje has stood not only the test of time, but has proven to be a gateway for countless thousands of people into the world of natural wellness, which is Peppermint Halo. When we say that Peppermint Halo is the product that started it all, we mean it. Pep Halo, as it’s known colloquially, is the very first product ever formulated at Saje back in 1992 and is still the product that is so popular today that one sells every 2 minutes. Not only is this our #1 best-seller, our favorite introduction to who we are and what we do, it’s also a highly effective remedy that’s been licensed with our governing body, Health Canada, to be used topically in aromatherapy to help relieve headaches.
We’re going to dig deeper into the benefits of natural headache remedies versus traditional pharmaceuticals, make recommendations for headache treatment without medication and suggest natural remedies for headaches that you can explore as part of your personal wellness journey but first, it’s important to understand the differences in the product types we’re mentioning.
Understanding the difference between conventional headache medication and natural alternatives
When we refer to conventional headache medication, we make reference to pharmaceuticals designed specifically to treat or prevent headaches. These are common, readily available medications you can typically find in a drugstore and can purchase without a prescription. Many of these formulations have been available for decades and have a plethora of data to support their use for mild to moderate headaches, including the most common headache type, which is a tension headache. This category is often referred to as analgesics, which is a term that means ‘pain relieving’ and can be used as an overarching term to refer to the medications that support the way inflammation is acutely, locally reduced, or by affecting how the brain processes pain signals.
When we speak of natural remedies for headaches, here at Saje we’re referring specifically to our essential oil-based formulas, like Peppermint Halo as an example, that have met the burden of proof to be classified as natural pain relievers. We underwent a licensing process with Health Canada to obtain designation in what is called the Natural Health Product (NHP) category, where an approved product is then assigned a Natural Product Number (NPN), which lets you know the product has been authorized to be sold in Canada. By undertaking this licensing process, we were required to provide evidence that proved the claims we were making relative to our products and ingredients could be proven true, safe and effective as it relates to their performance in a product. More on NHPs below!
What is a Natural Health Product?
In Canada, a Natural Health Product is a category of health products that are generally made from ingredients that can be considered naturally occurring, like those derived from plants, animals or microorganisms, and are used to treat, prevent or diagnose an illness, disease, disorder or condition in an effort to return a person to good overall health and well-being. Learn more here about NHP’s through these FAQs.
Typically available over the counter without a prescription, products you will find under the NHP category include products like vitamins and minerals, homeopathic remedies, probiotics and herbal and plant-based remedies, which is the product type we’re offering at Saje.
In Canada, NHPs are regulated by Health Canada to ensure they have been produced with high quality ingredients and to prove they are safe and effective for their intended use. The license application for an NHP is arduous and comprehensive; it includes, in part, providing detailed information about the product including both medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, how the product is intended to be used, where the ingredients have been sourced from, their potency, health claims and more. Most importantly, an application must include sufficient data to allow the appropriate parties to assess the safety, quality and efficacy of the product that is being proposed. All of this to say, the process of applying for and ultimately acquiring an NHP at Saje is a labor of love that speaks volumes about the value we place on offering the highest quality natural wellness products offered anywhere in the world.
The pros and cons of different types of headache medications
Starting with conventional treatment medication for headaches, the pros include being clinically vetted, tested and regulated for efficacy and quick onset of action. With natural remedies for headaches, the approach is one that is typically holistic and with a lens of prevention, and it's widely accepted that there are lesser potential side effects.
The aforementioned side effects are an important consideration for anyone considering treatment of headaches, because they do vary widely. With conventional headache medications, side effects can include nausea, upset stomach and stomach irritation, as well as other symptoms like dizziness or heartburn. As with many conventional medications, they are not suitable for everyone dependent on your personal medical condition, and they can carry a certain risk of dependency or intolerance.
With natural headache remedies, or when pursuing headache treatment without medication, it’s commonly accepted that the potential risk of side effects is much lower, and that these potential risks are generally mild. With essential oil-based products that are applied topically on the skin, side effects can include increased sensitivity or irritation of the skin, respiratory irritation from breathing in vapors or headache worsening for those with sensitivity to aromas or to specific oils. As with any conventional or natural medication alternative, it’s important to patch test on a small area of skin before full exposure, avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, mucous membranes and broken skin, and to of course consult with a trusted medical advisor prior to treatment.
Natural headache remedies are also widely accepted as a helpful, complementary therapy for headaches as part of a holistic lifestyle, which may also include certain preventative measures such as staying hydrated, managing and mitigating stress levels, engaging in regular physical activity and practicing relaxation techniques like yoga, stretching, journaling, or deep breathing, to name a few.
Our #1 best-selling natural headache remedy, Peppermint Halo
Now that we’ve spent some time digging into the more nitty-gritty information surrounding different types of headache treatment, we’re shifting our focus to an in-depth walkthrough of our #1 best-selling 100% headache remedy, Peppermint Halo. As previously mentioned, in Canada it’s licensed as an NHP, assigned an NPN, and designed to be used in topical aromatherapy for relief of symptoms of headaches. Our formula contains 6 different essential oils, each of which are licensed as medicinal ingredients in the formula; peppermint, eucalyptus, cajeput, rosemary, lavender and vetiver.
Peppermint
One of the most commonly used essential oils for relieving pain like tension headaches, this sharp and cooling herb is well-researched for its properties as being pain-relieving, muscle-relaxing and for providing a cooling, tingling sensation on the skin due to its main active component, menthol. The cooling effect has the ability to provide a temporary distraction to pain receptors, which can help encourage relief by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. Known as a vasodilator, peppermint oil has the ability to widen blood vessels, encouraging blood flow and relaxation of tension. This potent oil is the driver behind the blend’s aroma, thus also inspiring its name.
Eucalyptus
Another of the most known and widely used essential oils is eucalyptus, which is commonly referred to in aromatherapy as ‘the breathing oil.’ This opening, clarifying oil is studied for its properties that support alleviating inflammation, which can mean that it is effective at not only promoting mental clarity and stress reduction, it helps to open the nasal passages and reduce sinus pressure, symptoms of which are commonly associated with headaches. Because it also has mild pain-relieving effects, when applied to areas like the head, neck and shoulders where tension headaches are common, eucalyptus is useful in lessening discomfort.
Cajeput
A lesser known and used essential oil, cajeput is a member of the wider tea tree family of plants. The plants in the Myrtaceae species, which includes tea tree and eucalyptus varietals, perform similarly and are known for many of the same properties, like having clearing and decongestant abilities, and having the ability to impact pain through being both anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain numbing). For headaches, cajeput is useful when the headache is due to sinus congestion or pressure, tension or muscle soreness, as it contains 1,8 cineole, the same plant compound in eucalyptus, studied for the way it helps reduce pain sensation through reduced nerve sensitivity.
Rosemary
A popular and well-loved essential oil, rosemary is widely regarded as a highly versatile and multi-faceted essential oil. Valued for providing warmth and stimulation which can help to increase circulation and blood flow, this crisp and herbaceous essential oil is also known for the way its sharp, fresh aroma helps provide a feeling of acute mental clarity, which is helpful when afflicted with a headache. In terms of easing pain, rosemary is a known anti-inflammatory that also contains the aforementioned 1,8 cineole, which can help ease the pressure that contributes to tension headaches and encourage lifting mental fog or sluggishness to help you feel at ease.
Lavender
The most known and used of all essential oils, lavender is most widely used as a relaxant or a calmative. While it’s true that this floral and herbal oil is an excellent choice for creating tranquil feelings, it’s also useful in preparations for headaches for a number of reasons. First, pain is stressful for the body. When we experience a headache, we’re prone to shallow breathing, tensing of muscles and even mental and emotional scenarios in which we are prone to think negatively or focus on the pain. In an essential oil-based product for headaches, the role that lavender plays is related to numerous variables; the way it promotes stress relief, how it positively impacts the sleep cycle which is crucial in thwarting headaches and for its mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. By reducing muscle tension and emotional triggers that can lead to tension headaches, lavender can support restorative rest, sleep and recovery to lessen the overall effects of headaches.
Vetiver
Lastly, we’ve included vetiver as part of our Peppermint Halo formulation as the oil that promotes deep, peaceful grounding in the body and mind. Though vetiver is not as overtly connected to pain relief as essential oils like peppermint and rosemary, it’s a valuable contributor in the formula because of the way it helps regulate the nervous system, which is key in preventing overstimulation that can lead to stress, anxiety, overwhelm and feelings of frustration. Its natural sedative qualities promote deep relaxation and a sense of emotional balance; just a touch of vetiver in the formulation is supportive in easing mental and emotional turmoil and encouraging a deep, sustained sense of comfort and restoration.
How to use natural remedies for headaches
For more than 30 years, we’ve offered Peppermint Halo in our signature roll-on bottle. When we began working with Health Canada, we designed what we call a double ended bottle, which allows for the product to be used in different ways. First, the roll-on end of the bottle can be used to apply directly to the skin; we encourage applying to areas like the temples (keeping a safe distance away from the eyes), along the forehead and across the back of the neck and over the shoulders and trapezius muscles, creating a ‘halo’ effect. We also have a dropper end at the bottom of the bottle, which allows for the dilution of the product. Some people identify as having sensitive skin or as having a desire for a gentler and less concentrated product experience. What the dropper end of the bottle allows for is dispersing a few drops into the hand, adding a few drops of a carrier oil like jojoba or fractionated coconut oil and then using your fingertips to apply the product carefully to the areas mentioned above
Alternately, Peppermint Halo can be used as a facial steam, by simply adding 4-12 drops to a bowl of steaming water/facial steamer and then inhaling slowly and deeply for 5-10 minutes. Others still choose to create a cool compress, adding 2-5 drops to a cup or two of warm water and then soaking a cloth in the mixture, applying to areas like the forehead or the back of the neck, using as a compress.
Regardless of the way you choose to use the formula, we’re proud to have offered a highly effective, well-regarded and well-loved 100% natural headache remedy for more than 30 years, also recognized by Health Canada as a Natural Health Product. Here’s to many more years of cooling, soothing relief!
Don’t just take our word for it! See what our community has had to say about Peppermint Halo over the years
Love the scent and effect of Peppermint Halo. I use it daily behind my neck to relief tension. On occasion I feel queasy, this helps to remedy that. I’m already on my 2nd refill bottle and counting. Highly recommended. - Tanna, community member
This little bottle is a must have… it really works. At the first sign of a headache, I reach for it. - Lorraine, community member
Such an amazing product. I was never one to believe in natural alternatives to reducing pain and discomfort, but I am now the first one to tell others about it! When I have a headache or neck and back pain, the cooling sensation is such a gift and absolutely helps. - Allison, community member
By far, the best for my headaches, including sinus, migraine, and tension related ones! The head and neck relax enough to take the rest needed to get past headaches. It's cooling and the roll-on application is perfect. - Amisha, community member
Peppermint Halo works immediately to ease my infrequent, mild headaches. It is also my number one item to gift friends and family. I have been using it for years. Definite value for the money. - Christine, community member
