Prefer the other products (Olbas Pastilles)

Member Name: liquidio

Product:	Olbas Pastilles
Date:	27/05/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does work, not eyewatering like the oil

Disadvantages: A bit too weak, slow to dissolve.

I've long been a fan of Olbas oil sprinkled on a tissue in a pillot to keep the sinuses clear at night (even if it does get a little eyewatering if too strongly applied!). So I decided to try the pastilles and see if they were more suitable. They come in a handy cardboard box a bit bigger than a matchbox, which is probably great for storing in a cupboard or a handbag but I would suggest that they consider other more portable formats, to a fit a pocket for instance (this is where airwaves gum has an advantage).

Inside the pack is a plastic/foil packet, which is a little bit tough to get open by hand but otherwise not an issue. The pastilles themselves are a sort of oval shape with a dimple, about as wide as a smartie but a bit longer and much thicker. They are covered in a sprinkling of sugar which I found to be a bit annoying - it probably helps the initial taste and stops them stocking together in the pack, but it gets messy if you spill it and I'd rather not have my teeth rot any more than necessary. You can't have one of these and go to bed with it.

The taste of the pastilles themselves is similar to the oil, but without the sharpness. Menthol and Eucaplyptus come through as the main flavours unsurprisingly. I was somewhat disappointed with the taste because I was expecting something with more of a medicinal punch, so whilst they did help clear the sinuses it wasn't especially effective when compared to their other products. It's also a very long process - the pastille takes a long time to dissolve, so that by about half way through you are kind of fed up but unless you visit the bin there isn't much you can do except wait.

I would prefer it if the product was a bit stronger and a bit quicker to dissolve, but I can understand why they had toned it down - it wouldn't do to have too much of a burning sensation in the mouth. I just think they have been too cautions.

So the product worked, but I don't think it was the best one I have seen for the purpose of clearing the sinuses - only a bit more effective than Tunes.

Summary: Not the best olbas product, but I can see a place for it in the range.