The following article was written by expert ezine author Terry Edwards and can be found at ezinearticles.com. Thank you, Terry.
———————-
Why Buckwheat Pillows?
Buckwheat hull pillows are often suggested for those who suffer from neck pain, back pain, TMJ syndrome, headaches, muscle tension, snoring, sleeplessness and other conditions. This natural filling has advantages over fiberfill, feathers, or foam. The most important is the fact that it conforms to the exact contour of the head and neck, providing passive support. This means that these pillows give the same amount of support all over, instead of putting more pressure on certain spots like a regular pillow. This gives buckwheat an advantage over pillows that don’t support enough, support too little or allow your neck to misalign while you sleep.
About Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a fruit related to rhubarb, not a grain as one might think. Buckwheat pillows are made from the hulls of this fruit. This means that people with grain allergies will not be allergic to buckwheat hulls. A few are allergic to the small amount of flour left in the hulls as a result of processing, but most people are able to use them without issue. If you ever have an allergic reaction, stop using the pillow and seek medical help.
Buckwheat and Temperature
One of the best benefits of buckwheat pillows is the fact that they can be heated and cooled (check the label as not all cover this usage in any warrantee). Sticking the pillow in the freezer for an hour or so or in the microwave for a couple minutes will be enough to provide temporary relief of some types of pain. You should always check with your doctor before using your buckwheat pillow in this manner.
Cleaning and Care
Natural buckwheat pillows seem to harbor fewer mites than synthetic pillows, possibly due to the buckwheat hulls natural usage as an organism barrier. It is recommended, however, that if you store your buckwheat pillows for long periods of time you periodically place them in the freezer to prevent infestation. One day per month in storage should be adequate. The outer cover of your buckwheat pillow can be laundered as normal. It is not recommended that any inner cover be cleaned, nor should the hulls be immersed in water as they can be hard to dry adequately.
Other Concerns
Buckwheat pillows work well with all types of beds including memory foam, waterbeds, and air mattresses. Fewer hulls can be used with softer mattresses that allow your body to sink into the mattress more, while more hulls can be used with a more supportive mattress to keep your head above the mattress. They are safe for use by children over the age of four months. However usage by children who are prone to use pillows for pillow fighting could cause injury. They’re reported to last about ten years. Although the hulls do not break down or wear out they do become polished like sea glass. Polished hulls actually work better then the new hulls, although they take up less room and may require you to add additional hulls to maintain the same level of comfort.
You can find out more about Buckwheat Pillows as well as much more information on all types of pillows at http://www.PillowsA-Z.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards
