Buckwheat- Not For Pancakes- For Pillows!
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!