Latest news with #Egyptiancotton
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Lavender to chamomile: Experts reveal which are the best home fragrances to help you relax and sleep better
Certain scents – such as lavender, vanilla, and chamomile – are known for their calming effects and can promote relaxation. But do you know how to use these scents in creating a restful atmosphere in the bedroom and other spaces? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Raghunandan Saraf, founder and CEO of Saraf Furniture and Ridhima Kansal, director, Rosemoore shared some ways to incorporate scent into your home. Also read | Want your home to smell good? Check out this comprehensive guide to know the right fragrance for your interiors Raghunandan said, 'Creating a bedroom that actually fosters rest is more than soft lighting and good bedding — scent is becoming an added layer in creating a soothing atmosphere. Like the textures and colors of furniture help set the mood, the right scent can tell the body it's time to unwind and get ready to sleep.' He added, 'Pairing natural materials — such as linen, cotton, and wood — with soft fragrances contributes to a multisensory environment that feels reparative. Furniture designers are also taking note of this sensory tie-in.' According to Ridhima, smell is a strong force in 'creating the mood for a good night's sleep'. She said that beyond a pleasant atmosphere, some household scents 'have the actual potential to soothe the mind, calm anxiety, and set the body up for relaxation'. Ridhima said: 'Lavender may be the most popular sleep helper, and research has demonstrated its potential to decrease heart rate and blood pressure, instructing the body to relax. Chamomile, another old favourite, provides a gentle, herbal scent that calms the senses and is commonly associated with stress relief.' She added, 'If a more contemporary feel is desired, combinations with sandalwood, cedarwood, and frankincense provide a grounding, earthy scent that encourages relaxation. In the meantime, floral aromas such as jasmine have been found to enhance the quality of sleep through increasing slow-wave sleep, the deep stage in which the body actually renews itself.' According to Raghunandan, lavender, chamomile, Egyptian cotton, sandalwood, and bergamot are popular choices for their calming traits and stress-relieving properties. He said, 'Bedrooms now feature bedside tables with subtle niches to hold diffusers or trays for essential oils.' 'As wellness and sleep increasingly inform home design, scent is becoming part of the larger discussion of how a bedroom should feel like a sanctuary. Through a misted linen spray, a gently diffused essential oil, or a lightly fragranced candle, fragrance provides a ubiquitous means of adding comfort and relaxation to the benefits conferred by careful furniture and decor selections,' Raghunandan added. Ridhima further said that 'opting for the correct delivery vehicle also counts'. 'Diffusing the essential oils approximately 30 minutes prior to sleep can produce a steady, soothing fragrance. Or opt for scented candles or linen sprays for easy and efficient means of adding fragrance to the bedroom. With careful integration of these scents, you can turn your bedroom into a serene sanctuary, rendering bedtime not just more appealing but also more rejuvenating,' she said. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt seeks Chinese investment in textile projects
Egypt has invited representatives of 25 Chinese clothing companies in a bid to persuade them to invest in its textile industry which is in the midst of a major development programme in the Arab country. Egypt, a key cotton producer, has just launched an ambitious plan to expand its textile and garment sector, a key component of its economy and a major hard currency earner. Egypt's press said on Monday a delegation comprising 37 Chinese businessmen and industrialist met Minister of Public Enterprises Sector Mohammed El-Shimy for talks on available projects in domestic textile industries. El-Shimy explained 'the national programme to develop Egypt's textile industry' as part of plans to boost exports and stimulate the economy, Alwatan newspaper said. 'The Minister told the Chinese delegation that the textile industry is currently witnessing a comprehensive restructuring and development plan covering marketing, administrative, financial and technical aspects,' it said. 'He affirmed that this plan has created promising investment opportunities for local and global partners…he also made clear that the plan aims to restore Egypt's pioneering position in this industry, expand its market share and increase profitability.' Textiles and read-made garments are a key component of Egypt's exports and officials hope increasing sales of such products and other exports would help attain its long-term plan in wiping out a persistent trade deficit. Egypt's textile exports have seen a significant increase in recent years, reaching $1.2 billion in 2023, marking a five percent growth, according to Hani Salam, Chairman of Apparel Export Council of Egypt. Salam said last week that the council aims to raise the sector's exports by around 10 percent to $1.23 billion by the end of 2024. He noted that the council targets an increase in textile and garment exports to $1.4 billion by the end of 2025. Mohamed Abdel Salam, Chairman of the Ready-Made Garments and Textiles Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries, said last month that Egypt's garment and textile sector is experiencing significant growth, buoyed by global economic shifts and a surge in foreign direct investment. Abdel Salam noted that Egypt's 'favorable' investment climate is attracting increased attention from international manufacturers, thanks to its strong economic fundamentals and competitive production environment. 'Egypt offers one of the most cost-efficient operational landscapes in the region,' he said. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
