Benefits and Limitations of a Buckwheat Pillow

There are many sizes and designs from which to choose, as well as stuffing materials.  One of the most popular and healthiest stuffing choices among homeowners looking for organic bedding and accessories is buckwheat.

A buckwheat pillow, otherwise known as a Sobakawa, is a traditional Japanese pillow filled with the hulls that encase buckwheat seeds.

They are springy under compression but provide a firm, contouring support that supports proper rest of your head and neck positioning.

Because they claim to ease tension and strain through spinal alignment, they have become popular sleep support aides for anyone looking for a good night’s rest.

The benefits and side effects of a buckwheat pillow are fairly simple due to their simple design, and I’ve provided a quick guide below so you can better determine whether or not it is a product you may want to consider.

What is Buckwheat?

Buckwheat is a plant, and the hull of its fruit is used as pillow stuffing. Buckwheat is a seed-like grain native to Asia. For centuries, it has been a staple for both feeding domestic animals as well as its use for human consumption.

The three-sided buckwheat seed goes through an intricate de-hulling process, and once the seed is removed from the shell, only the two-sided shell remains.

This seed is actually considered a fruit and grows within a husk  a shell-like casing that protects the seed as it matures. This part of the plant is inedible, but it was utilized in other ways, one being a long-lasting, durable filling for pillows and mattresses. 

Today, buckwheat is grown on many continents as its nutritional benefits and hull use has spread far and wide. Pillow companies have added the benefits of buckwheat products to their offers, making them more widely known and more readily available. The seeds are removed from the hulls, and then the hulls are cleaned and used within a material casing.

Usually, these cases are made from natural fibers such as cotton and silk and are adjustable to add, remove, or refresh your hulls throughout the life of the pillow.

The Benefits of a Buckwheat Pillow

Some of the benefits that make buckwheat a popular stuffing for organic pillows include:

Breathable

Buckwheat is resistant to pressure and does not trap much heat. This is why you do not need to turn them over in the middle of the night to find a cooler surface.

Buckwheat hulls do not conduct heat but do promote air circulation, making it the perfect pillow material for hot and humid bedrooms. Moreover, their shape means the hulls do not stick to each other, thus helping to support your head and shoulders properly.

Low-maintenance

Organic buckwheat does not need to be cleaned professionally to keep it fluffy and soft. The covers can be washed in your washing machine and the pillow freshened up by periodically laying them in the sun and airing them out.

Buckwheat is one of the most affordable organic pillow fillers you can choose. It is durable, and if maintained properly, can last for ten years or more. They do not need professional cleaning and are not high-maintenance, making them an economical purchase.

Nature-friendly

Buckwheat is a renewable, biodegradable resource, so you can rest assured that dispose of them will not harm the environment. Invest in organically grown buckwheat to get the most out of your pillows and aid the environment.

Absolute support

Most people sleep on their side, but without the right support, this can lead to severe back and shoulder pain. This problem can be solved by a buckwheat body pillow that adjusts according to your body shape and posture. Similarly, if you sleep on your back, buckwheat hulls support your skull and fill the hollow under your neck.

Stomach sleepers often experience pain in their shoulders, back, and neck, as this position creates an unnatural body alignment. The best way to avoid discomfort upon waking is by using a buckwheat pillow filled less than average. This will help the hulls distribute evenly

The benefits and positive side effects of a buckwheat pillow may differ from person to person but are substantiated by the thousands of consumers who have found pain relief and comfort with the regular use of the pillow. Since we’ve personally reviewed few pillows ourselves and researched other quality choices, we can honestly say this is a pillow worth taking a closer look at.

Better Sleep

First and foremost, buckwheat pillows have become a popular sleep product since they truly do support proper posture and spinal alignment.

When on your back and stomach, you need a thin pillow that holds your head level between your shoulders and also provides support to the gap created by the arch of your neck.

Side sleepers need to hold their head high and between their shoulders and also have a proper material fill to fill the gap between their head and shoulders.

Adjustable

Mentioned above, many of these pillows provide adjustability, meaning you can add to or remove hulls to fit your comfort needs. This is especially important for the proper placement of your head and neck, and the fact that our body is not made exactly the same, the pillows will offer different specific needs.

A higher pillow is generally needed by side sleepers, whereas thinner choices are needed for back and stomach. Stomach sleepers, in particular, need a practically non-existent lift and being able to remove hulls for this purpose allows them to be a popular pick for a wider variety of sleepers

The Limitations Of A Buckwheat Pillow

There truly aren’t many cons of a buckwheat pillow. The worst problem you may run into is a pillow that is of poor quality that doesn’t last long during prolonged use, and that can easily be avoided through the proper research of a company and their products.

Natural Odor

Buckwheat has a natural earthy smell that is considered aromatic and calming.

It may be a strong smell upon opening due to storage techniques, or it can’t be noticeable at all if the hulls have ever been roasted when being prepared for consumers.

Rustling Noise

The hulls do create a slight rustling and crunching noise when moved and laid upon. It is fairly muted and easy to get used to over time, but it can be slightly distracting until you get used to it in your everyday routine.

Since your head is held in place, the noise is not as noticeable once you’re sleeping on the pillow, but it can be otherwise if you are a restless sleeper.

The good thing is that the pillow is easily shapeable, and you can create the indents you need to rest your head and support your neck and shoulders when needed.

Not Washable

Do not wash buckwheat! Even though it does not really absorb water well, it can ruin the strength of the hulls and allow them to weaken and be less durable.

Plus, it is very heavy and will probably throw your washer out of balance permanently. Removable casings are washable, however, and should be washed regularly according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Heavy

These pillows are heavy  as in up to 12 pounds heavy. They are not made to be the pillow you prop up to lean against for television watching as gravity will drag the hulls to the bottom of the casing.

They also are not for pillow fights unless you are truly trying to defend yourself. Rather, they are made to hold still and not shift to provide the proper body placement you need.

Conclusion

The benefits and side effects of a buckwheat pillow are varied and well worth the consideration. They are comforting and have a myriad of benefits that can help support your overall health.

Although they may take a bit of getting used to, most consumers state within 3 to 5 days they have its use all figured out, and the noise is no longer even noticeable to them.

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