Is it safe to use olbus oil when pregnant?

[RayeB]

Hi. I'm full of cold, it's a head cold so nose all stuffed up and I can't breathe at night. I've put olbus oil on a hankie and left it on bedside table so about a foot from my head. Is it safe? It says on the packet to only use medications when pregnant if absolutely necessary - a bit confusing. Doctors are manic so can't ring to ask advice as no telephone appointments this week. Thanks ladies x

[LittleBugsMum]

I hope so, I'm a menthol addict when I'm pregnant...

[tothesea]

Chemist told me Olbas oil not recommended in pregnancy. They gave me menthol salts instead for steaming and it does work. You have my sympathy, I had cold earlier in year the lasted for 6 weeks! Have come down with another one

[fallingandlaughing]

Really tothesea ? My pharmacist said it was OK. I have been using tons of it the past 3 days but I will stop now.

RayeB maybe you could try phoning your doc. Mine said always to ring, no matter how busy they are, if there was anyhting I need to ask about.

[tothesea]

It says on the side of the box not to use in pregnancy AFAIK. RayB could you call your midwife if can't get through to docs.

[fallingandlaughing]

Mine just says "it is best not to take non-essential medication in pregnancy"

[nannyl]

i was in boots with a really heavy cold and might be pregnant. (a week ago)
was told by pharmacist its fine to have paracetamol, normal strepsils (ie not + this or with that) and that olbas oil was fine while pregnant too

[brillopads]

WTF I have also been using this, mainly to relieve sinus pain from being bunged up rather than necking paracetamols ... I tend to 'dot' some onto the neckline of whatever top I'm wearing and happily reek.

Is it using it as a massage oil that's unsafe ?

[Poppet45]

Don't know about pregnancy but normal Olbus is definitely unsuitable for babies, so you might want to take a cue from that. Something to do with the menthol oils can damage wee one's livers. Hence they do a kids version that is safe from about three months or so I think. You might want to try the kids version if in doubt?

[Poppet45]

Should also add in case I've worried anyone unduly, that most likely in pregnancy your liver is taking the strain not the baby's so it's unlikely to have caused any damage so far.

[bankholiday]

The Pharmacist in Boots also told me it's not recommended in pregnancy, but Sterimar nasal spray is safe, so I used that a couple of weeks ago for a cold.

[BelieveInLife]

I was told no to olbas in pregnancy too. Karvol is safe though and just as effective in my opinion.

It is miserable having a cold when pregnant, hope you feel better soon.

[bessie26]

Oh bugger, we use it whenever any of us have a cold! How old do you have to be to use it?

[Lotster]

I wouldn't think twice about it personally as it's not going in to your blood stream.

Karvol's a good suggestion too.

[jellyhead188]

I was told not to - it can cause your womb to contract apparently, they advise against it.

I suffer badly from sinisitus and was told I can only use steam to help.

I'd used it and they said it won't have done any harm but its not a risk worth taking.

[ShowOfHands]

I was refused it by a pharmacist when pregnant.

Steam and paracetamol was the recommendation.

[NineLadiesDancingThroughLife]

Poppet, the normal Olbas Oil is suitable fro babies from 3 months too. The 'baby' version is just repackaged and marked up in price.

I didn't know you couldn't use it while you were pregnant. My midwife told me to use that and honey/lemon to get me through as you shouldn't have the normal cold relief stuff. I'll know for next time.

[bessie26]

nineladies I thought the baby stuff was just watered down & more expensive too (I'm sure I compared the labels, but that was a couple of years ago so can't remember)

Anyway, just checked their website www.olbas.co.uk it says the normal olbas oil is suitable from 3 YEARS, and the baby olbas from 3 MONTHS. Nothing on there about suitability when pg.

[fiorentina]

I emailed 'Olbas' this question a few months ago. They informed me that as of fairly recently, they were no longer allowed to say that Olbas was safe in pregnancy as no tests had been specifically undertaken to check the safety of using it during pregnancy. Read that as you will I'd say...

[jasmine51]

I was told by my pharmacist that it was ok. I googled and saw that it was not tested so no recommedation could be given. My MW said not to use it!
I have taken the view that as the inhaling ingredients are not on the list of essential oils to avoid during pg then I will use it sparingly (tissue by bed at night). Eucalyptus is known to be safe...but eucalyptus oil has not been tested. No indication whether this means sniffing or rubbing it in!
Its really maddening isnt it!

[NineLadiesDancingThroughLife]

Bessie, the adult one I've got here says from 3 months on the label. I compared the labels in the shop the other day and I couldn't see anything different in the ingredients. Probably is watered down though.

I've emailed them too, so I'll let you know what they say this time.

I suppose if you use it as a muscle rub, I can see how in theory it could get into your bloodstream. But I'm really confused as to why the smell of it could be harmful

Jasmine, it really really is!

[RayeB]

Hi, just back from my midwife appointment and she said ok to use it. Think will only put dab on hankie and have it near bed though, it seems no definitive answer from reading the above posts.

[Poppet45]

The baby stuff isn't just watered down and marked up in price it has been partially dementholised so that the oils can't accumulate in the infant liver. It is chemically different, and far less effective unfortunately. And chemicals can get in your bloodstream from inhaling them as well as from having them touch your body. Think nicotine for example.