Olbas oil

Olbas oil is a brand name for a nasal decongestant, manufactured under licence by G. R. Lane Health Products Ltd in Britain (license holder) and Penn Herb Company Ltd in the United States. It is a mixture of essential plant oils: cajuput, clove, eucalyptus, juniper berry, levomenthol, peppermint and wintergreen.

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Olbas oil originated in Basel, Switzerland in the 19th century. As well as providing bronchial and nasal relief - hence its popularity for common cold sufferers - it can soothe muscles and joints of sufferers in conditions such as arthritis and spinal pain.

Olbas is available in its original oil form, and is now also available in other forms such as nasal inhaler, herbal tea (US), herbal bath, cough syrup (US), cough drops (US),sport massage oil (US), and an analgesic salve. In the United Kingdom it is also available as packs of small pastilles, and is further made available for children.

Its British manufacturer also claims it is used as a cat repellent to discourage damage to flowerbeds, furniture, etc.

Olbas oil is effective for coughs colds and for suffers of hayfever.