Sleep easy

Hand-harvested lavender grown, then distilled, in Matakana is the base of Matakana Botanicals Apothecary Sleep range.

Studies suggest that the soothing scent of lavender is a great sleep aid and relaxant.

Research has shown that sniffing lavender essential oil for four two-minute periods before bed can help you sleep more soundly.

Sleep is something many of us are playing catch-up on. In fact 35 per cent of New Zealanders don’t get enough sleep or experience a poor standard of sleep on a nightly basis.

This was a motivating factor for Matakana Botanicals owner Danvers Devereux to introduce new sleep easy products to his Apothecary Sleep range. This now includes a pillow and room mist, body lotion, massage oil, sleep balms and sniff boxes.

The latter are great to have beside your bed as well as being ideal companions on long-haul flights – Emirates has been providing Matakana Botanicals sniff boxes to its first-class passengers for 15 years. The blends were created for Matakana Botanicals with aromatherapist Mary Wakefield and contain neroli, chamomile and lavender essential oils.

Spraying lavender mist in your bedroom will also promote feelings of calm before you hit the sheets. Or, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a tissue and tuck it under your pillowcase.

Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath is another great way to relax and set yourself up for a long, deep sleep.