Frequently Asked Questions

Essential Oils are the naturally occurring volatile oils obtained by steam distillation or cold pressing (expression), having the characteristic aroma of the plant part from which it was derived. These 100% pure oils are "neat", meaning they have not been processed, diluted or manipulated in any way with solvents or other additives. Although a particular species of plant harvested and distilled for its essential oil during a particular growing season in a specific region may produce a fragrance that differs from the same species grown in a different region, many of the main chemical markers and physical specifications may be very similar.

Never.  We use natural products that are generally regarded as safe (GRAS), so there is no need to test them on any animals… except ourselves!

Absolutely not! Read our labels and you will not see any of the following: petroleum derived products, sodium lauryl sulfate, chemical additives, chemical preservatives, synthetics, dyes or fragrances, parabens, or carcinogens. We are committed to being chemical-free and 100% natural. We have also become a USDA certified manufacturer and almost all of our products now bear the USDA Organic seal.

Nope!  No snakes were harmed in the making of our oil!  It’s just a fun name that people remember, and it gives a little wink-and-a-nod back to the old-time Snake Oil Salesman.  The name started off as something people would call it when they realized just how useful and versatile our Original Formula is, and it just stuck!

There are several factors that affect how long your pain will be eased, but the average is 4-8 hours.  Both the carrier oils and the essential oils are absorbed and metabolized at different rates, so we have a little bit of a time-release built into our products.  Body chemistry also has a lot to do with how essential oils affect you.  We have found that if you are generally receptive to conventional medication, you will be more receptive to essential oils.  You will probably feel relief within a few minutes, and it will last for several hours.  Some people get as much 8-12 hours of relief.  However, if medication doesn’t have much effect on you, our product will probably take a while longer to ease your pain and you may have to reapply at more frequent intervals.  Re-apply our products as often as you need but always make sure to follow your doctor's orders when adding to your health routine!

How much you use depends on the area you need to treat.  A knee or a shoulder will take about a nickel or quarter sized amount of oil rubbed onto the affected area.  A good rule of thumb is to use about the same amount of lotion you would use to cover the area.  Rub it in for a good 30-60 seconds.  You can always wipe off any excess, but it will usually absorb in a minute or two.

You can use our products as often as you want to use them, but definitely check with your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding or would like to use our products on young children.  There are typically no side-effects or interactions with your oral medications, but again your doctor can help you understand what is safe for your body.  The pain relief oils usually work for 4-8 hours, but you can re-apply when you start to feel pain returning.  The essential oil rubs can be re-applied whenever the scent has faded.

Unlike the common over-the-counter pain relief creams, we don’t overload our products with camphor and menthol, so you aren’t going to be feeling any intense tingling hot or cold sensations… the “bells and whistles,” as we call them.  These products work by tricking your nerves into carrying the sensation of heat or cold instead of the sensation of pain.  They are basically a distraction from inflamation.  Our products work by being absorbed into your tissues where the essential oils can work their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving magic.  You will feel a gentle warming sensation from the spicy oils, and you might feel a slight cooling sensation from the peppermint in our Original Formula, but what you WON’T feel is the pain - hot or cold!  Within a few minutes, you will feel a gentle easing of the pain… almost like you feel… nothing!

We use the highest quality oils so an unopened tin stored at moderate temperatures should be good for two to three years. If you open it and it smells good, it is good. Extremes in temperature and humidity will affect shelf life, so it is not possible to give an exact expiration date.

Our products are a blend of natural, vegetarian oils, beeswax, pure essential oils, and Vitamin E (an anti-oxidant preservative to extend the shelf life).  The only exceptions are our Rosy Boa for Women which has a touch of Rose fragrance oil, and our Flash In the Pan cooling gel which requires a preservative - but don’t worry!  Our preservative t is paraben and formaldehyde free!  Flash in the Pan also contains Xanthan Gum, a corn-derived thickener.