A few years ago, when Americans began to hear about buckwheat pillows, they seemed to be a new fad. This was not, in fact, the case. And no, this buckweat isn't really for breakfast. lol. More on that later. Asian cultures have known of the benefits of sleeping on buckwheat pillows for hundreds of years. In the 1980s that western culture began to realize that these benefits were real, inexpensive and helped provide a great night's sleep as well as to benefit them in other ways. What are these buckwheat pillows made of? One may mistakenly think of buckwheat as a grain but it's really a fruit- and related to a rhubarb family. The product used as filling for these pillows of buckwheat is actually the hulls or husks that protect the kernels. The hulls are roasted which removes the dust from the fields and husking process before being placed into pillow slips. This means that the buckwheat filling used in these pillows is natural, renewable, and quite inexpensive while providing exceptional support for the human body. The husks from buckwheat do not pack down as many pillow fillings do, allowing air circulation through the pillow during sleep to regulate the temperature naturally. In fact, under body weight the buckwheat husks grip one another meaning that you experience stable, passive support and weight distribution. What this all means to you is that you will experience firm but comfortable support from buckwheat filled pillows. It also means that your pillow filled with buckwheat will last a long, long time because there are no fibers to pack down and become worn. In fact, the husks inside the pillow will polish themselves over years of use and retain 93% of this volume after years of use. A pillow filled with buckwheat can last as long as ten years where an ordinary bed pillow needs to be replaced each two to three years! These pillows filled with husks from buckwheat are not only effective in holding the head and neck in the right position for sleeping, they can be chilled in the freezer for applying cold therapy to painful areas and heated in the microwave for applying heat therapy for muscle strains and other pains. Rather then use a heating pad that can cause burns or burns from prolonged cold, the pillow filled with buckwheat will hold the heat or cold long enough to be effective but the temperature will naturally adjust to room temperature before any harm to your skin can occur. People who are concerned with using natural products will love these pillows because of the natural buckwheat husks that replace the fibers which may not be natural inside traditional pillows. Those who have allergies will love the fact that the filling in these pillows is 99% dust free. Very few people may experience allergies to buckwheat, because it's a rather rare allergy. Some health care professionals have found that pillows filled with buckwheat help those suffering from migraine headaches, back injuries, neck problems and many other painful health problems relieve or reduce the patient's pain level significantly. Pillows can be found made specifically in the right size and shape for use covering the eyes, supporting the neck, shoulder as well as for use a regular bed pillows. Caring for a buckwheat filled pillow is so simple and easy! Just place the uncovered pillow slip in the sunshine for a few hours. Most pillows have removable covers which can be laundered or fit into your standard pillow case which, of course, can be removed for washing. Let's look at a few of the pillows filled with buckwheat that are available: Makura (Japanese for pillow) Miracle Pillows are available that are sized to fit your standard pillow cases. These pillows often are labels "cervical pillows" because the ideal pillow supports the cervical vertebrae of the neck properly. The 26 X 20 inch dimensions are perfect for a standard bed pillow. If you prepare a smaller, more compact pillow, or perhaps want a travel pillow you can take with you, you'll want to consider the 21 X 14 inch size. Each pillow filled with buckwheat comes with its own zippered pillow liner and its own pillow case. For smaller pillows, extra pillow cases can be ordered. Some buckwheat filled pillows, often called rejuvenator pillows, have four snaps in that form a square in the center portion of the pillow. These snaps can be closed or opened to provide exactly the configuration that feels best for you. One snap, two snaps, three or all four can be left opened or closed, creating your very own "custom" pillow configuration. The Horseshoe U-Shaped Pillow is another buckwheat filled product that many people enjoy for travel, relaxing or even for sleep. This U-shaped pillow supports the neck and head while in a sitting position. Even riding in the car as a passenger for long distances can be made more comfortable with this U-shaped design. These pillows often are seen with fuzzy covers that are removable for cleaning. The comfort roll style buckwheat filled pillow is often used by Shiatsu massage professionals for the perfect support provided to the neck. These pillows are round and long, like a bedroll to fit underneath the neck. Perfect for lower back support or under knees, these pillows look like boudoir pillows and come in many different coverings. The wrist pillow is a design used to support the wrist when typing on a computer. These long, thin pillows keep the wrist in the right position to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome when used regularly. No matter which pillow filled with buckwheat is right for you; you'll soon learn you can't live without them. They are so comfortable and last so long, you'll want to buy at least one in each shape and size! You may be able to find these pillows at your local retailers, but you'll really get the best selection and prices when you shop for them online, where competition makes you the winner! |
