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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Olbas oil...

31 replies

tossingpenniesinthepool · 05/06/2023 19:19

So my DS, 4 is so congested it's unreal. Possibly sinus issues (GP appointment booked for the end of the week) but also terrible hayfever. Thanks for that gene, DH.

I've been liberally throwing olbas oil over his pjs and pillow for the past week or so, In the hope it would help. It does a little.

I've just done it ready for bedtime and as I've screwed the lid on I see it recommends 2-3 drops in a tissue..: I've had a glance up at the pillow and there's probably 45 drops.

That's fine; right?? My granny virtually bathed me and DB in it as kids and we're ok?

Tell me I'm not the only drastically overdosing their kid on decongestant?

OP posts:
Eileen101 · 05/06/2023 19:21

I do the same and no ill effects here 🤷🏼‍♀️

Dacadactyl · 05/06/2023 19:21

DS is 11 and I put tons on his pillow and everywhere when he gets blocked up with a cold.

Original poster
tossingpenniesinthepool · 05/06/2023 19:22

Good, I assumed we all did the same.

Did you know it said 2-3 drops? Seems bizarre. 🥴

OP posts:
Bonjovispjs · 05/06/2023 19:22

I have loads too and on my pillow, not on a tissue inside it, love the stuff.

Dacadactyl · 05/06/2023 19:24

Yes, I knew it said only a few drops, but it doesn't work on DSs colds if I only use that amount.

LoobyDop · 05/06/2023 19:28

You’d have to be pouring it down his throat for there to be a real risk. Having said that, do be careful putting it directly onto his pillow. I’ve been over enthusiastic with that in the past and got it in my eye, and OMFG. Essential oils and eyes DO NOT MIX WELL. And Olbas has some of the most sensitising oils in it.

mopeymoo · 05/06/2023 19:30

I really wouldn't put it on his pillow if that gets into their eyes it's going to Sting

mumof1or2 · 05/06/2023 19:31

I didn't know it said 2-3 drops. I always use loads as well! What also works really well is a bowl of boiling water straight from the kettle with a load of olbas oil in it put in their bedroom somewhere out of reach.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 05/06/2023 19:34

Sorry that is about drinking it

Pixiedust1234 · 05/06/2023 19:35

I never found olbas oil helpful but we powered through many a jar of Vicks 😬

Are they checking out his adenoids?

Original poster
tossingpenniesinthepool · 05/06/2023 19:41

They are.
I had mine out when I was 6, wonder if it's hereditary.

I promise he won't drink any but maybe I'll flip his pillow tonight. Ive been a bit over zealous on the oil shaking in the hope of a full nights sleep 🤣

OP posts:
LoobyDop · 05/06/2023 19:59

The other thing about using it at night is that some of the ingredients are stimulating rather than sedative.

Royalbloo · 05/06/2023 20:02

It's poisonous if ingested

Royalbloo · 05/06/2023 20:03

Have a read of the label - during lockdown mine snorted it and had to go to A&E as she stunk of the stuff and I had no idea how much she'd ingested

Royalbloo · 05/06/2023 20:04

mopeymoo · 05/06/2023 19:30

I really wouldn't put it on his pillow if that gets into their eyes it's going to Sting

It'll do more than sting!

"If Olbas Oil comes into direct contact with the surface of the eye, wash thoroughly and seek immediate medical advice"

Carrusa · 05/06/2023 20:12

My memory is there's a lot of peppermint in it, which is not very sleep inducing. We used karvol at night instead.

Olbas stings if you get it anywhere near your eyes so I would be careful.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 05/06/2023 20:21

karvol capsules if you can get them are far superior Imo! Have to use an entire bottle of olbas oil to get anywhere near the same effect.

newtb · 05/06/2023 20:23

I've put it on my chest, and also on my back between my shoulder blades when really bunged up, not just on a pillow.

If you take it soon enough, acetyl cysteine can stop getting bunged up as it thins the mucus.

kizziee · 05/06/2023 20:26

I had no idea olbas oil can affect sleep. I've been using it for sinus problems which are worse at night and hadn't linked it with the sleep issues I'm having.
Does the same apply to Vicks ?

LookItsMeAgain · 05/06/2023 20:32

What I tend to do is get a cotton wool pad wet with water, shake Olbas oil onto the same cotton wool pad and then Hoyt the pad on top of the radiator in the room of whichever kid is congested and the residual heat in the rad will evaporate the water and work to make the oil disperse in the air of the room.
Probably not helpful if you're enjoying the warm weather at the moment

lucylucyapplejuicy · 05/06/2023 21:18

All will be fine. My granny used to douse us in it if we were sniffly Grin

MadCatLady27 · 05/06/2023 21:48

I use a lot of olbas oil for my hayfever, maybe that's why my sleep is disrupted!

Re congested child, I don't have children but when I was one my mum would boil up a bowl of water and put the olbas in - the steam would rise containing the vapour (obviously put somewhere child can't accidentally knock it over!)

I used it when I had the lurgey from hell this winter

LizzieSiddal · 05/06/2023 21:54

45 drops?!

Are you exaggerating? I’d not, there’s no way a 4 year old should have that amount on his pillow.

LizzieSiddal · 05/06/2023 21:54

*if not