Good afternoon, dear reader. In the first article, you learned about bamboo fiber and its use as a filler for textiles. For those who missed this article, you can find it here. As for the topic of fillers, in my opinion, it is relevant and worth our attention. Nowadays, there are quite a large number of fillers, each with its own pros and cons. I will try to tell you about all the most common types. In turn, I hope this will help you make the right decision when choosing a pillow or blanket.
Today I will tell you about buckwheat husks and its use as a filler for textiles. Surely, you have heard more than once about pillows made from buckwheat or buckwheat husks. At the same time, in fact, very few people understand what kind of filler it is. What are its pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. I will try to break everything down for you without unnecessary information. So let's get started!
Where and when did buckwheat pillows first appear?
The birthplace of buckwheat pillows is India.
Let's pay a little attention to buckwheat itself. Most sources claim that buckwheat appeared around 4 thousand years BC. It was grown in the mountainous regions of Nepal and India (Himalayas). Somewhat later, during the 1st millennium BC, buckwheat began to be grown in ancient China, and then in Japan. It was there that they began to use it as a filling for pillows. The Japanese, back in those ancient times, realized that buckwheat husks had medicinal and beneficial properties, after which they actively began to use it in everyday life. Buckwheat appeared in Europe much later. It is quite difficult to indicate the exact time frame, since different sources say differently. We can only say that it is much later than in Asian countries. Today, buckwheat is grown and used in many countries around the world. It has found wide application in everyday life and medicine.
Main characteristics
When choosing a model, pay attention to: shape, size, filling and price of the pillow. Be sure to consider your sleeping position. Search the Internet for reviews from independent customers who have already purchased the model you have chosen and are honest about its advantages and disadvantages.
But what you shouldn’t do is trust the advice of bloggers - companies pay them to promote products, which is why bloggers praise pillows, attributing to them properties that they never had. This is not an objective assessment of the product. Look for reviews from real customers who did not receive money for advertising, but paid themselves by purchasing the product.
Form
Classic The most common, traditional, trusted form of pillow. Despite the fact that many other options have appeared recently, the rectangular one does not lose its popularity. You can rotate it as you like, you can change your sleeping position on it - and it will still be comfortable.
On such a pillow you can spin as you please.
Two cushions of different heights The most popular form of orthopedic pillow. The cushion supports the natural curves of the neck and relieves tension from the muscles. On such a pillow, the head is guaranteed to be in the correct position. Often the bolsters are of unequal height; you can turn the model and sleep on the side where it is more comfortable.
Models with two rollers of different heights are the most popular
With a recess for the shoulder The pillow is designed for those who sleep on their side. It is difficult for such people to find a comfortable sleeping position because their head is high above the level of the bed. A regular feather pillow has to be fluffed up and placed on its edge, which is not very convenient. With an orthopedic pillow with a recess for the shoulder, there is no need to perform such complex manipulations; the manufacturer has already thought through everything and created a model of the required height and shape.
A pillow with a shoulder hole is comfortable for side sleepers
Star. An unusual model helps you sleep comfortably on your stomach. On a regular pillow or without one at all, the sleeper strongly arches his neck and sticks his nose into the mattress. The star shape helps you quickly find a comfortable position and breathe easily. The thermoactive material from which the model is made does not compress the delicate skin of the face and prevents the appearance of swelling and wrinkles.
Pillow for the road and more
Size
Measure your shoulder. The pillow should have approximately the same height, plus or minus two centimeters. If you sleep on your stomach, take a lower model, if you sleep on your side, take a slightly higher one.
The length and width of the product are not particularly important. The orthopedic properties of the 50x70 cm model do not differ from the 65x35 cm pillow. It is important that the pillow fits completely on the bed and does not hang down.
Filler
The orthopedic properties of the pillow depend more on the filler than on other parameters.
Memory reacts to pressure and heat, changing its structure and adapting to the shape of the sleeper’s body. When a person lies on a regular mattress, his own weight compresses the soft tissues in the place where they come into contact with the bed. This doesn't happen with memory. It takes the shape of the human body without resistance. The absence of back pressure is the main advantage of the innovative material.
Memory remembers the contours of the human body and does not put pressure on the skin.
Tempur. An improved version of memory foam. Not only does it not put pressure on soft tissues, but it also distributes body weight evenly over the surface of the pillow, creating a feeling of floating in weightlessness.
Soy foam. As the name implies, one of the components of the material is natural soy. There are many soy foams, and they all have different properties. Often the manufacturer combines several types of foams in one model. For example, memory foam is on top, and a more rigid, dense material is underneath. You can turn the pillow over and sleep on the side that is more comfortable. There are models scented with natural neroli oil - it is added during the manufacture of the material, so the light soothing smell of wild orange does not fade, but remains throughout the entire life of the pillow.
Natural latex. Obtained from the juice of the Hevea plant. One of the most durable materials, its service life is at least 10 years. It is perforated over the entire surface, so it is well ventilated and does not accumulate dust inside. It has bactericidal properties; even after years of use, microorganisms do not settle inside.
Polyurethane foam. It is inferior to other materials in elasticity, has a greater pushing effect, and is more suitable for men.
Cooling gel. It is not used on its own, but on top of other materials. Thanks to its structure, it removes the heat of the human body inside the product. Lying on a cool surface is pleasant and beneficial; a person turns over less in his sleep and sleeps more soundly.
By purpose
Few people sleep all night in one position. If you know you fall asleep on your back
If you wake up
on your stomach
, a universal rectangular pillow made of memory or natural latex will suit you. Elastic materials do not compress soft tissues, no matter how you lie down.
For sleeping on your back
A wave-shaped pillow is perfect.
Those who like to lie on their side
will love the model with a recess for the shoulder.
stomach
sleeping, the best option is a low, star-shaped model.
Price
How is an orthopedic pillow different from other pillows? Because it supports the spine in a physiologically correct position and improves blood circulation. This effect is achieved through the use of more expensive fillers, so most often the cost of an orthopedic model is higher than a traditional one.
For example, Tempur pillows made of thermoactive material cost 10,000-30,000 rubles. These are not small amounts, but clients who have tried sleeping on innovative material then do not want to use other models, and give comfortable Tempur pillows to their loved ones for the holidays.
If you don’t think it’s necessary to spend that kind of money, but still want to get a model that will support the spine in the correct position, pay attention to Dimax Basis Maxi. The model costs less than 3,000 rubles, but thanks to its shape and memory filling it creates a comfortable sleeping place.
Non-orthopedic pillows, such as those made from down, may cost even more than orthopedic pillows, but they do not support the neck as much as needed, so they are not as comfortable to lie on.
What's really in buckwheat pillows?
Inside the pillows there are buckwheat husks, not kernels!
Many people think that buckwheat pillows contain ordinary buckwheat, which people eat every day. If you are one of these people, then you will be interested to know that this is not entirely true. Now I’ll explain to you what’s going on here. In fact, the filler in buckwheat pillows is not grains of buckwheat, but the shell in which it grows. Surely, more than once when you ate buckwheat porridge, you came across such hard black lumps that usually pile up along the edge of the plate. These lumps are buckwheat shells, sometimes called buckwheat husks. They are used as filler. To make it clearer to you, I’ll give an example with seeds. The seed grain itself is the buckwheat that we eat, and the husk from the seeds is our filler (buckwheat husk). The fact is that nothing is done to buckwheat husk for a long time, but it does not lose its hardness and is excellent as a filler. The Japanese understood this and made such wonderful products as buckwheat pillows. In fact, not only buckwheat husks have beneficial and medicinal properties. Buckwheat pollen is also a natural honey plant with a pleasant smell, straw is used to feed livestock, vitamin PP is obtained from leaves and flowers, and, of course, flour and cereals are obtained from the grains themselves.
Buckwheat pillow: reviews from doctors
Therapists and neurologists most often say that using pillows filled with buckwheat husks is good for health. But this statement may not apply to all people, since in the matter of sleep and even choosing a comfortable surface for sitting there are no rules that suit everyone without exception.
Here, first of all, you should focus on your own comfort. Therefore, doctors advise using such bedding only if they do not cause discomfort.
Most often, pillows filled with buckwheat husks are purchased by people who have already encountered discomfort during sleep or problems with the cervical spine. Therefore, you should not delay and wait for illnesses and sleep disorders to appear. Better try these products now, and if they help improve your overall health, then you can forget about feather-filled pillows forever.
Why do the Japanese consider buckwheat husks a medicinal filler?
First of all, this is, of course, the naturalness of the product. This filler is a 100% natural product, without any synthetics or special processing. This, of course, has its downside for people who suffer from allergies from natural fillers. Therefore, before you get such a pillow, think carefully, or better yet, consult. As for the medicinal properties, there are a huge number of them. I'll tell you about some of them.
Buckwheat products have an orthopedic effect
Small grains of buckwheat husk are small in size and at the same time unusually hard, thanks to which they provide acupressure of the neck, scalp and face. All this has a positive effect on blood circulation, for the better of course. Another positive property is the orthopedic properties of husk pillows; the pillow takes the shape of the head and retains it during sleep, and the rigid fixation of the neck will reduce the load on the spine. Due to the fact that the grains do not fit tightly together, products made from buckwheat have excellent air ventilation, that is, even on the hottest day, your head and neck will not sweat, and this will have a positive effect on your sleep. Well, I mentioned the most basic useful properties, of course, this is not the entire list, but nevertheless. Oh! I almost forgot, another significant advantage in favor of buckwheat products is the budget cost of the product. In our time of crisis, this is a very powerful argument, isn’t it =).
Selection criteria and care features
- Form. Classic rectangular models have an average size of 40x60 cm and are suitable for adults. For those with high shoulders, manufacturers recommend purchasing a product with dimensions of 50x70 cm. Such pillows are suitable for children starting from 2 years old. For them, the best option would be a product with the ability to regulate the amount of filler. Many manufacturers offer cushion cushions in the shape of a horseshoe. They are suitable for travelers who spend a long time in a sitting position on transport.
- Case. It should be made from natural materials, with a small percentage of synthetic fibers possible to improve properties such as elasticity and strength.
- Amount of filler. For most models, it can be adjusted independently. Part of the husk is poured into a sealed bag and stored in a closet until the contents of the pillow need to be renewed.
As for caring for the product, it is strictly forbidden to place it entirely in the washing machine. In the best case, the husk will be saturated with the unpleasant chemical aroma of the powder and will exude it for a long time, losing the healing properties and the unique smell of buckwheat essential oil. If the cover is heavily soiled, it must be removed and washed separately. To prevent the formation of dust mites, once every six months the pillow is left in the freezer for 24 hours.
Knowing the benefits of a buckwheat pillow, each buyer will be able to decide how well its parameters correspond to his personal level of comfort.
Advantages and disadvantages
Is it beneficial to sleep on an orthopedic pillow? Yes. It supports the cervical spine in the correct position. For a healthy person, this serves as a prevention of diseases; for those who have any diseases, it reduces the risk of complications and progression.
Advantages
How is an orthopedic pillow useful?
- Normal blood flow in the neck is restored.
- Attacks of osteochondrosis, headaches and other diseases occur less frequently.
- You can fall asleep faster on a comfortable pillow.
- You can choose it to suit any sleeping position - on your side, back and stomach.
- Breathable materials allow air to pass through and create a favorable bed microclimate.
- Memory models do not put pressure on soft tissues and keep the skin youthful.
- Helps eliminate or reduce the frequency of snoring.
- Helps maintain beautiful posture at any age.
- There are not only adult, but also children's models. The sooner a child starts sleeping on an orthopedic pillow, the stronger his health will be.
Flaws
- High-tech fillers require careful handling. So, memory foam cannot be wetted, because it will be difficult to dry. It is not advisable to use it in a room with high humidity.
- The wave-shaped pillow takes some getting used to. If you have previously slept only on soft down pillows, then on an orthopedic pillow you may feel unusual and uncomfortable. After three days you will get used to it, and the old down pillow will seem uncomfortable to you.
What else can be done to update the product?
As an additional flavoring, some aromatherapists advise adding a couple of drops of aromatic oils to the husk. Mint and lemon oils and exotic aromas are widely used. They help you relax, get ready for sleep and safely go through all phases of falling asleep.
If the pillow seems a little hard to you, and its massage effect is too strong, you might want to purchase a double-sided pillow filled with buckwheat husk and bamboo fiber.
A replaceable pillowcase made of soft natural fabric will also make your sleep more comfortable.
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Natural fillers of plant origin
Buckwheat husk
This is the name given to the “skins” of buckwheat seeds. Holding a pillow with such a filling in your hands is quite pleasant: it makes a slight rustling sound pleasant to the ear, and the fingertips are massaged with solid particles of the husk. It's inexpensive, which is another plus. Everyone praises pillows made from buckwheat husks - their benefits are praised everywhere.
But there are also disadvantages:
When you roll over in your sleep, you will hear the same rustling noise directly under your ear, and for obvious reasons it will seem much louder. If you are a light sleeper, this pillow will definitely not suit you. “You just have to get used to it,” say supporters of using husks. Why get used to it if you can choose a much more convenient and completely silent filler?
The buckwheat pillow is hard. If you like them, good. But if you, like most people, prefer to put something softer under your head, it is better to refuse buckwheat husks. Do you want to understand how comfortable it is to sleep on it? Imagine that you are resting, lying on a loosely filled bag of cereal.
Lovers of “natural” claim that such pillows have natural orthopedic properties. This is a malicious deception. Orthopedicity is when parts of the body are supported in a physiological, comfortable position. This is not discussed here.
The husk has a very noticeable smell of buckwheat. He is not pleasant to everyone.
If you don't sleep on your back and your face touches the pillow while you sleep, keep in mind: the husk will prickle a little through the pillowcase. In the most benevolent interpretation, this can be called micromassage, but it still interferes with sleep.
Like other natural materials, this one will quickly be “attacked” by mites and mold. The benefits of a buckwheat husk pillow will come to naught. And since such products cannot be washed, you will be doomed to be subjected to nightly attacks by harmful microorganisms and their metabolic products until the end of the pillow’s service life.
Bamboo
Memories of bamboo stems somehow do not create a feeling of softness and comfort in the soul. However, bamboo pillows are made not from dense stems, but from young shoots, which are specially processed and fiberized to form thin elastic threads. Bamboo filler is quite inexpensive, soft, and easy to handle. Now such pillows are confidently filling the domestic market; we can say that at the moment this innovative bedding is quickly becoming a people's favorite.
Comfortable, good material. However, in general it is overrated, and there are also disadvantages to bamboo pillows.
There is an opinion that the high ability to absorb and retain moisture is the advantage of bamboo. Yes, this makes using the product comfortable, since the head on the bamboo pillow does not sweat. However, the fact that the material attracts water is also good for the repeatedly mentioned mites and mold. After just a few months, they thoroughly colonize even the most beautiful bamboo pillow - the disadvantage is obvious.
Bamboo fibers are believed to have antibacterial properties. They are. However, these properties act only in the body of a living plant and protect it; This is a natural weapon against phytopathogens. When bamboo is cut, dried and turned into fiber, it becomes as attractive a habitat for microbes as other organic fillers.
Over time, pillows with bamboo “sit down” and become denser.
cotton wool
Let's say right away that if you need a good pillow, cotton wool is not the best choice. As you know, it is cotton fiber. It would seem that this is an excellent material - natural, hypoallergenic... Unfortunately, such products get compressed very quickly, inside the pillow the cotton wool clumps into hard lumps, and if you wash such a pillow in the machine at least once, you can safely throw it in the trash. If it is not washed and cleaned, then harmful microscopic organisms quickly begin to develop in the cozy weaves of its threads. Cotton pillows are very cheap, but they are definitely of the lowest quality.
Yes, everything has disadvantages... So what filling should you buy a pillow with?
Pillow filling – buckwheat husk
Essentially, it is the hull of buckwheat grains, separated from solid particles, sifted, blown with air, steamed and cleaned. The finished raw materials for the production of pillows are hollow pyramids.
Buckwheat husks are poured into a bag with a zipper. The ability to open the pillow is not provided by chance: the owner will be able to independently adjust the rigidity of the product to suit his individual needs by removing or adding filler.
Disadvantages of buckwheat husks under the head
The disadvantages of using products stuffed with buckwheat include, first of all, noise. The rustling of the husks in the first days can interfere with sleep. Some clients, on the contrary, observe a calming effect caused by subconscious associations with sleeping in nature. The rigidity of a tightly padded accessory is unusual for people sleeping on soft pillows. This temporary inconvenience is fully compensated by the effective impact on health. The weight of the product is greater than standard down or grass models. It will not shrink or move during sleep, which is good for the spine. Over time, buckwheat becomes denser and requires replacement. Although the buckwheat pillow is short-lived, anyone can buy it. A pillow made from buckwheat husks is an effective prevention of joint diseases. It is cheaper to take care of your health than to spend money on expensive medicines.
Which filler to choose
Filling is the most important element of a pillow; its elasticity, durability, frequency of washing and health benefits depend on it. All existing fillers can be divided into natural and artificial.
Artificial fillers
Synthetic materials vary in their original components, durability, strength and purpose. A common advantage among them is hypoallergenicity and ease of care. The downside is the accumulation of static electricity and low moisture absorption.
- Silicone fillers are hollow inside, which creates an air gap. This pillow holds and restores its shape well, is soft and flexible. Silicone materials include Novalon, polyester and holofiber.
- Microfiber or, otherwise, “swan down” imitates natural down. The filler is durable but lightweight and quickly regains its shape. This is a good choice for anyone who prefers soft pillows but cannot afford down products due to allergic reactions. It is important to remember that microfiber is highly electrified.
- Polyester fillers are tough because they are made from plastic. Bacteria and insects do not live in the material, which makes it hygienic.
- Memory foam is used for orthopedic products. Its main property is the ability to take and remember the shape of the body. The additional anti-pressure effect relaxes the muscles well. The foam is rigid and hygienic and retains its properties for five years.
We have listed the main types of artificial fillers; their full range is much wider.
Natural fillers
No matter how unpretentious and convenient synthetic fillers are, we are confident that natural materials are superior to them in all respects. They absorb moisture well, breathe, do not electrify, and can be hygienic and hypoallergenic. And many of them have unique healing and soothing properties. The variety of natural materials is so great that it will not be difficult to choose a pillow depending on your preferences.
Wool pillows
In addition to the usual sheep wool, manufacturers use Merino sheep wool, goat wool (cashmere), as well as wool and down (undercoat) of camels. Wool pillows have a beneficial effect on facial skin, relieving irritations, thanks to the animal wax lanolin in the composition. The downside of this product is the risk of allergies and delicate hand washing.
Pillows with plant fillings
Plant materials include bamboo and eucalyptus. These unique plants are absolutely hypoallergenic and hygienic - they do not contain a breeding ground for fungi, mold, dust mites and other microorganisms. In addition, the fillers do not absorb foreign odors and tolerate washing well. Eucalyptus essential oils have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and stimulate the immune system.
Another type of vegetable filler is natural cotton. This is a high-quality, breathable and lightweight material that has nothing in common with heavy and uncomfortable cotton products.
A separate category includes fillers made from buckwheat husks, which hold their shape well and provide a light massage effect, as well as herbal ones that have an anti-stress effect, such as mint, lavender, rose, aloe vera, herbal and flower infusions.
Silk pillows
Silk is a unique material of animal origin that does not cause allergies. A silk pillow will last you more than 15 years! The filler is hygienic and does not need to be washed, and is also very pleasant to the skin. The only drawback of natural silk is its high cost.
Down pillows
Most often, pillows are made from goose down. Duck down is of poor quality, and eider down is incredibly expensive. Goose down is divided into categories: premium, extra, first grade and just down. The white Siberian goose, living in the wild, is the standard of down. The cost of such products is quite high. The down of gray geese is of lower quality and costs much less.
The amount of feather in the composition is also important. Premium products contain 100% down; no more than 10% small feathers are added to the first and extra class fillers. Classic down and feather pillows have a ratio of 70% to 30% or 50% to 50% down and feather, respectively. These are quite tough products, when purchasing which you need to choose the right cover fabric.
Conscientious manufacturers make covers for such pillows from teak - it has a high density, due to which feathers will not bleed through to the surface. Its natural origin ensures free flow of air to the filler.
