The roots of the buckwheat pillow or also known as buckwheat hull pillow branches back to ancient Asian cultures. No these are not your average chair cushions. These pillows derived and were found in Japanese farmer’s storage areas. A connection has also been found through parts of China but it is not know where that connection comes from. After the processing of the buckwheat plant was finished many farmers in Japan were left with these hull or husk like outer coat that many farmers swept up and put in old burlap bags. Many workers and improvised people that worked on these farms slept in the processing areas on these bags full of buckwheat hulls. This was the one of the first discoveries of the use of furniture or pillows for Japan and the beginning of buckwheat pillows.
Organic or Not?
Yes, buckwheat pillows are considered to be organic. One thing that you may want to check out before you buy one is the guarantee on the pillow. Some companies claim to be organic yet they use strong chemicals to clean the buckwheat hull and non-organic materials to treat the hulls so that they last longer but yet still claim to be organic. If you want an organic buckwheat pillow there are many companies that you can buy from online as well in some select stores. I would just recommend for you to check out all that goes into your new pillow. If the package does not say than that means the probability that the pillow going through a chemical process is higher. If having an organic buckwheat pillow is important to you make sure you check out buckwheat pillows online and if you are in a store if the package does not say ask.
Non-Allergenic Is a Plus
One of the attractions to these pillows and why buckwheat pillows are sought after is because people have allergies or have just developed allergies and need relief. This is probably one of the best reasons to buy one of these pillows. The hull of the buckwheat plant really only needs to be cleaned one time and then has no dust or debris or will carry any dust bugs in the future. This is huge when it comes to helping you sleep at night and not coughing or sneezing. Again we find a solution to a problem by going back to basics and looking at what nature can provide us with.
Basic Care
There is one thing that these pillows require that most people do not know about. They are pretty easily cared for noting too bad after all they are just pillows we are talking about, but one recommendation by most manufactures is that you take the pillows outside and out of their pillow cases and put them in the sun to air them out once or twice a year. This is meant to expand the hulls a little bit and allow for them to be fluffed in a way. Most people do this with their normal pillows anyway but to keep a buckwheat pillow forming to your body they need that extra airing out.
Many Uses
Buckwheat pillows are used in many different environments for many different things to help your personal comfort. They are now available for: buckwheat neck pillows, buckwheat back pillows, buckwheat body pillows, buckwheat head pillows, buckwheat leg pillows, and buckwheat travel pillows. They are so versatile and you can benefit from them in so many different ways you can find them in all shapes and sizes.
One thing that many people use them for is as a warming and cooling pillow. The buckwheat hull is temperature responsive and can adjust to any temperature you need them to acquire. Many people use these kinds of pillows to relieve sore or tight muscles around the neck. You can also find many people use then as cold patches in the same ways. In other words buckwheat pillows are the natural hot and cold patches that you do not have to throw away.
Buckwheat pillows are something definitely to consider for many reasons. They are environmentally safe, organic, non-allergenic, easy to clean, versatile, can be used as a hot cold patch, natural, inexpensive, does not collect dust, and long lasting. This is a great pillow for you to choose to actually function for you kind of like how a leather pillow functions for your room’s visual appearance.
photo credit: Mickael Casol
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