Originally a folk remedy for sore throat and respiratory problems, it has a bitter taste. I don't know if it works, but it's bad tasting enough that it should.
That does look quite evil and sinister. They sound like Fisherman's Friend Original Extra Strong Cough Suppressant Lozenges. Just nasty.
They have this candy at the checkout at my local Mexican supermarket. In my fractured, limited Spanish, I imagine that this is candied octopus because pulpo is octopus. Of course it's not. It's tamarind candy with hot spice. That doesn't sound much better.
