... Then my sister-in-law recommended we tried Olbas Oil. While it didn't really help with the RSV, its proved invaluable at helping during times when I've personally been very blocked up.
~~~The Range~~~
Olbas oil is part of a small range of products. These are :
Olbas Oil inhalant ... Read review
Olbas Pastilles Clears the Head Soothes the Throat. The pure natural remedy for ... more
symptomatic relief of colds, coughs, catarrh, sore throats and flu, catarrhal headache and nasal congestion. Olbas pastilles contain essential oils which have decongestant...
Postage & Packaging: £2.50 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Inhalation: for relief of bronchial and nasal congestion caused by colds, catarrh, ... more
influenza and hayfever, rhinitis and minor infections of the respiratory tract. Topical application: for the symptomatic relief of muscular pain and stiffness, including...
Postage & Packaging: £3.04 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Inhalation: for relief of bronchial and nasal congestion caused by colds, catarrh, ... more
influenza and hayfever, rhinitis and minor infections of the respiratory tract. Topical application: for the symptomatic relief of muscular pain and stiffness, including...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Relieves that bunged up feeling Disadvantages: It don't half whiff
...my sister-in-law recommended we tried Olbas Oil. While it didn't really help with the RSV, its proved invaluable at helping during times when I've personally been very blocked up.
~~~The Range~~~
Olbas oil is part of a small range of products. These are :
Olbas Oil inhalant decongestant
Olbas Inhaler
Olbas blackcurrant flavour sugar free pastilles
Olbas Vapour rub
Olbas Bath ...are two main uses for Olbas Oil :
The first is as an inhalant decongestant. In this case you would put a few drops on a tissue and “sniff” it as needed. I find this works really well, but the first few sniffs are very strong, and then it gradually reduces strength over the space of a good few hours. At night I put two drops on the bottom pillow, about an hour before going to bed, to give it time to lose that initial pungency. I then ... more
A few years ago when my daughter got RSV (a nasty viral infection in the chest and upper airways) she spent a lot of time with a very nasty snotty nose and gunky chest, even after she came out of hospital. Then my sister-in-law recommended we tried Olbas Oil. While it didn't really help with the RSV, its proved invaluable at helping during times when I've personally been very blocked up.
~~~The Range~~~
Olbas oil is part of a small range of products. These are :
Olbas Oil inhalant decongestant Olbas Inhaler Olbas blackcurrant flavour sugar free pastilles Olbas Vapour rub Olbas Bath Olbas for children
All of these contain essential oils and claim to offer relief from catarrh, colds and with a couple of the products muscle pain.
~~~The Packaging~~~
The oil comes in a small, dark brown bottle with a dropper top. This is then presented in a green and orange box, that also contains an information leaflet.
~~~The Oil~~~
The oil itself is highly pungent, and has a very distinctive smell. I find it smells much like Vicks, but much stronger. As it is made from a blend of essential oils, I guess it's pretty important to know what's actually in it, as many people can have reactions to some oils, so here goes :
Cajuput Oil - This oil is used as traditional remedy for rheumatism and cholera, and has antiseptic qualities.
Clove Oil - This oil is also antiseptic (its good for toothache), and is also warming and relaxing.
Eucalyptus Oil - Eucalyptus was originally used by the Aborigines to heal wounds, fight infection and relieve pain. The oil has a distinctive smell that clears the head and is used in countless cold remedies. It is also a powerful antiseptic and has a cooling effect on the skin.
Juniper Berry Oil - At one time used to ward off witches, and most commonly used to flavour gin, juniper is another antiseptic, and is also diuretic (helps you lose water), relaxing and excellent for aches and pains.
Dementholised Mint Oil - I couldn't find any info on the mint oil, sorry.
Wintergreen Oil - This is another oil that is effective in the treatment of arthritis.
~~~The Uses~~~
There are two main uses for Olbas Oil :
The first is as an inhalant decongestant. In this case you would put a few drops on a tissue and “sniff” it as needed. I find this works really well, but the first few sniffs are very strong, and then it gradually reduces strength over the space of a good few hours. At night I put two drops on the bottom pillow, about an hour before going to bed, to give it time to lose that initial pungency. I then find it lasts all night. Another way to inhale it, is to add a couple of drops to your bath, I find this really helps when I'm completely congested and can't manage to even breathe through my nose.
The other use is as a muscle rub. In this case you simply massage a few drops into the affected area. I've used this when I've had a “crick” in my neck. And it really does work, although you may find the area you've massaged feels very cold and numb, the pain is reduced.
~~~Who Can Use It~~~
Olbas Oil is suitable for adults and children over the age of 6 months. However, for children below 2 its advisable to put the oil on a tissue that is then put out of their reach. I find putting it under the mattress works extremely well.
~~~Who Can't Use It~~~
Obviously this shouldn't be used with children under 6 months. Also if you are pregnant you should consult your doctor or the pharmacist before using this.
Another group that should use this with caution are epileptics. Although there is no warning on the bottle, essential oils can worsen seizures as I found out to my dismay. I thought I was helping my son get over his colds quicker and therefore keeping him out of hospital, only to discover that the oil was making his seizures worse.
~~~Warnings~~~
Many of the oils contained in this are highly toxic, and therefore it is for external use only and it should only be used on unbroken skin.
~~~Price and Availability~~~
Olbas Oil is available in many places, from small chemists right upto supermarkets. At the moment a 28ml bottle costs £3.46 in Tesco, and although it sounds a little pricey for such a small bottle it will last ages. One bottle lasts for a whole winter in this house where there are five of us using it.
~~~Further Info~~~
Further information on the entire Olbas range can be found at :
www.olbas.co.uk
This site also gives some other uses for the oil.
~~~Final Words~~~
This oil is a godsend for my family. Having young children, there always seems to be one of us with a cold, even in the middle of summer. The oil relieves our breathing so that we can sleep at night and get through the day. However, I've learnt to my cost, that on occasional it has loosened the gunk to the point where I've actually been sick. I've also discovered that its not suitable for my epileptic son when used directly, but he doesn't seem to badly affected by the lingering smell when others use it.
I also find it extremely economical, as you're only using drops at a time, it lasts for absolutely ages. So if you're sitting there all bunged up as you read this, why haven't you sent someone to get you a bottle.
Advantages: Clears blocked noses, eases catarrh, sinusitis and sore and stiff muscles Disadvantages: Will irritate eyes
...curb the quivering jelly syndrome? Olbas Decongestant Oil was the answer! Nothing horrid to squirt up his nostrils, just a few drops to be sprinkled onto his handkerchief and pillows, a few sniffs now and again and harmony would be restored! This stuff is magical! It contains a blend of 5 different pure plant oils (originated in Switzerland), including menthol and eucalyptus, that all work together to clear up stuffy noses. If it doesn’t do ... ...Children can also use Olbas Oil, but keep a careful watch on them that they’re not overdoing it. If this product gets into your eyes, it will sting like crazy and your eyes will water big time, so smaller children should be supervised. Each bottle of this miracle fluid contains 28ml of Olbas Oil and should last you for months. Expect to pay around £3.50 in most chemists and supermarkets, which does seem a little steep, but you won’t have ...
Squiggles 14.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
Advantages: Clears the most stubborn blockages, Natural ingredients, Pleasant smell Disadvantages: Is a bit Costly but as I say worth every penny
...colour LOL) with the words OLBAS OIL (Although, I spent most of my childhood calling it OLLYBUS OIL for some strange reason), my mum said the chemist has recommended her it, as it was new out, so I read the instructions and gave it a go (as I was at the time suffering once again SNIFF SNIFF), just a couple of drops on a tissue and a sniff or two later, I was cured, my blocked nose had instantly been cleared, HOORAY, I could actually breathe through ... ...took the bottle to bed, and sprinkled another couple of drops on my pillow, which helped my breathing during the night-time. When I woke up, there was no sign of my stuffy nose, as a matter of fact, my nose was as clear as ever.
As the years have passed, I have sworn by this stuff, it really is excellent for clearing your blocked noses and catarrh, and I will get the bottle out whenever it is needed, it is very strong, but not in the same way as ...
brianlfc 12.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
Advantages: easy to use and works straight away Disadvantages: none
...a couple of drops of Olbas oil on a tissue and then placing it in her pillow case before she went to bed and the difference this made was amazing. Almost instantly she stopped coughing and was less congested and as result we all got a good nights sleep.
You can smell the oil as soon as you walk into the room as it is strong and smells of mint and eucalyptus. It is not an unpleasant smell and when you inhale it you can feel it clearing your nose ... ...available in 28ml size.
Olbas oil is a mixture of essential oils that give off a vapour, which helps to clear congestion. The ingredients are: -
Cajuput oil BPC 18.50%
Clove oil BP 0.10%
Eucalyptus oil BP 35.45%
Juniper berry oil BPC ’49 2.70%
Menthol BP 4.10%
Dementholised mint oil BP 35.45%
Wintergreen oil BPC ’49 3.70% Olbas oil originated in Switzerland and is a blend of pure plant oils. It is used to relieve bronchial and ...
dibalmond 21.12.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
Advantages: Different uses and fast acting Disadvantages: None
...keep a little bottle of Olbas Oil in my medicine cabinet. I hadn't realised just how useful this little bottle of oil can be!
==A Bit About The Oil==
Olbas Oil is a blend of essential oils which give off a pleasant and not too overpowering aroma to aid nasal congestion or a blocked nose. Unlike some decongestants with a strong menthol aroma Olbas Oil has a really nice, refreshing, herby smell, which instantly seems to clear congestion.
The oil ... ...applying a few drops of Olbas Oil to my pillow, well away from where my face might be, helps me to have a good night's sleep. For children, if using the oil during the night, it would probably be more preferable to put a few drops on a tissue and place the tissue inside the pillowcase or by the bedside. My daughter is always very stuffed up at night time and sometimes has very restless nights but the Olbas Oil always helps her to sleep soundly.
...
lel1969 18.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
...would always get out the olbas oil and send us school stinking off it!!
Now that I am a mother myself I do exactly the same. Its funny really, we spend years cursing our mothers for the things that they do to us when we were younger and then when we finally have children of our own we end up doing exactly the same!!
Anyhow.....enough of my family history, whats this Olbas stuff I hear you say. Well Olbas oil is basically as it says an oil. It contains ... ...How does Olbas work?
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Olbas Oil is as I have already said, a mixture of oils which gives off a vapour that helps clear congestion. It can also be used for a number of other things (see below).
What can Olbas be used for?
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Inhaling - If congested add a few drops to a hankie, a piece of tissue or to your clothes and the vapours will gently clear your head and help you breathe ...
carebare 04.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Olbas Oil Inhalant Decongestant
Quick and easy to use. Does seem to reduce severity of cold like symptoms and shortens timescale of suffering.
Expensive. Tastes revolting. Difficult to tell whether this product really does combat infection, as avoidance of coughs and colds could be put down to a sensible diet or healthy lifestyle instead. (*)
