The smell of flowers 'can help people sleep'

Putting flowers next to a bed or mattress could help people to sleep better, a new study claims.

German scientists presented research at a meeting for the American Academy of Otolaryngology showing that those who were exposed to the scent of roses while they were sleeping had pleasant dreams.

When the 15 volunteers entered the REM stage of sleep, which is when dreaming occurs, smells were wafted under their noses for ten seconds before they were woken up a minute later.

Many subjects reported having pleasant emotions when they were sleeping. When exposed to the odour of rotting eggs, the opposite effect occurred.

Dr Irshaad Ebrahim of The London Sleep Centre told the BBC that this research may lead to "therapeutic benefits".

"The relationship between external stimuli and dreaming is something we are all at some level aware of," he added.

A Tempur mattress may also help those who have nightmares to sleep well, as it keeps them comfortable due to its memory foam technology.