I was reading Chris Froome’s biography and he mentioned soaking some cotton in Olbas oil and putting it in his nostrils during his warm-up for the prologue of one of the TDF’s which was a time trial. Thinking of trying this out. Anyone else tried this? It supposedly really opens up the airways. Might help me with my over-unders 
No way would I put olbas oil in my nose. I’ve had a couple of drops put on the corner of my pillow in the past whilst suffering from a heavy head cold. Putting that stuff up my nose would I can only imagine be very painful.
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I’ve used it to clear my head when I suffer badly from hay fever. It’s got a kick to it! Personally I wouldn’t be introducing it to the inside of my nostrils… 
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When I used to get bad colds I put it on the soles of my feet before a pair of socks!
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I do it, and the key is to only use a few drops on the cotton wool - more than this results in a very unpleasant burning.
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Very interesting comments. The biggest thing I’m getting out of this is don’t overdo it if you’re going to try Olbas Oil. Stick to a drop or two and no more. I haven’t seen any science behind it either. Team Sky/Ineos has the reputation of being very calculating and looking for any means to get marginal gains. If Chris Froome is doing it, I imagine there must be some benefit. With respect to marginal gains, it’s been said many times on the AACC podcast to focus on the core fundamental areas to get gains first (ie consistency in training, nutrition, sleep, etc) and I can for sure dial those areas in better. That being said, I am thinking of trying this sometime in the next few weeks just to experiment. If I do, I will post my experience.
I tried a couple of drops on my top lip before a 25 mile TT. It was a horrible smell all through the next 50 minutes or so & having a visor on made it impossible to wipe off.
Never again!
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Yes, in the nose before time trials in cold spring weather. 5-10 minutes while warming up.
A little goes a long way.
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It sounds like the most marginal of marginal gains. Maybe a placebo effect.
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I’ve used the Olbas Oil inhalers, not sure how much they help but they seem to help me breath a bit easier.
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It must be similar to Olbas Oil but there’s a product called Vaporub
and I suppose I would compare it to Olbas Oil mixed in with vaseline (although that’s not technically correct). I seem to remember lots of footballers putting some on their shirts so they could dab a bit extra on neck or nose throughout a game.
That’s if you didn’t fancy the oil up nostril method.
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Perhaps applying tiger balm to my sensitive areas and shoving a soggy cotton ball of Olbas up my nose is exactly what I need to take my mind off the over-under pain designed by diabolical Coach Chad.
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Professional football players went through a stage of slathering a load of Vicks on their shirts just below their chins around 10 years ago, it was a common sight in the Premier League.
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Errrr…it happened already… Short story: getting the wrong bottle at 4 am not wanting to turn the lights on to dont disturb my partner’s dreams
Just go for a Robbie Fowler nose strip. If it was good enough for God it should be good enough for us
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True but Robbie was more famous for other habits involving his nose!
Not sure which of the two would give better performance gains 
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I always used Olbas oil by applying it to the skin over wore muscles. It produces an intense cold feel and maybe helps to treat DOMS? Maybe? Never really thought of inhaling it.