Buckwheat is grown in large parts of North America and Asia. It is primarily grown as food source, as its grains are grounded to become flour.
The high nutritional value of the buckwheat flour makes it an important ingredient all around the globe.
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But not only is the buckwheat important for food consumption, but its hulls also play a large role in the Japanese pillow making industry.
The hulls of these grains are gathered and then sold to different Japanese pillow manufacturers.
There are also others who import their choice of buckwheat hull to make their own pillows. The buckwheat hull filled pillows have become an immensely popular item most especially for individuals who have allergies and head, neck and back pain.
Here's a little more information about the hulls inside of a buckwheat pillow:
Organic and environmentally friendly
The Japanese buckwheat pillow takes pride of its organic filing.
Most of the buckwheat hulls are labeled organic primarily because it does not take so much fertilizer or pesticides to grow buckwheat. In addition to this, there are some specific brands of buckwheat hulls that are certified “organic.”
They are easily propagated most especially in dry and acidic areas. They are also biodegradable because they’re primarily made up of plant fibers.
The hulls are thin in nature so after some time they wear out. When they are worn out, you can simply put them in a compost pit together with other biodegradable materials.
These features have made the buckwheat pillows very popular, particularly among those who are very environmentally conscious.
Buckwheat pillows for support
A lot of people suffer from back and neck pains after sleeping because their pillows do not offer enough support.
Most pillows are too soft, while others are too firm.
When it comes to head support and firmness, the Japanese Buckwheat Pillow is a perfect choice for many. With the large and coarse buckwheat shells, the pillow can effectively conform to the shape of your head and your neck.
This helps people avoid stiff neck, sleep apnea, and snoring.
A trusted hypoallergenic pillow
They are also known to be hypoallergenic since only a small fraction of the population is allergic to buckwheat.
People who have allergies and asthma can benefit a lot from the buckwheat pillow. The hulls are completely cleaned from dust particles and its flour.
Once the hulls are cleaned and fumigated they are either shipped to buyers who want to make their own Japanese pillows, or they are stuffed inside a special pillow casing and imported as is.
Enjoy a long and peaceful sleep
Compared to the other pillow fillings, the hulls of buckwheat are more advantageous for several reasons like the ability to let users sleep with more ease.
Most users complain a lot about pillows made from down and cotton because they retain too much body heat, making their sleep quite uncomfortable.
For the buckwheat pillows, you won’t experience the overheating, because the structure of the hulls lets air come in easily.
You get to sleep comfortably every night without worrying about the pillow being too warm on your head and your neck.
Apart from this advantage, other Japanese pillows come with infused aromatic herbs like lavender and chamomile for added relaxation.
Economical and Cheap
Contrary to what most think about Japanese pillows, they are relatively cheaper than most of the other hypoallergenic pillows offered globally. This is because they are made to last for more than 5 years. Most hypoallergenic pillows can only last for about 2 years.
Users also have the option to refill the pillow when the hulls are already flattened. Because of that, buckwheat pillows offer great value.
Why People Love Buckwheat Pillows
This hull pillow has gained substantial popularity in the last 5 - 10 years. People who use them tend to rave about the support it provides, so it's one of those things that when you love it, you REALLY love it.
Although there isn't a ton of research conducted to study the effects of buckwheat pillows, chiropractors, physical therapists and other experts suggest the use of the buckwheat pillow for various individuals, largely because there are already a lot of people who have testified to its effectiveness.
Sources:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704342404574576392337405518
https://www.lifekind.com/organic-pillows
https://hullopillow.com/bulk-buckwheat-hulls/
http://www.comfycomfy.ca/pages/buckwheat-pillows
https://hullopillow.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-buckwheat-pillow/
