WHY EXCTLY BUCKWHEAT HULL PILLOWS?
- Buckwheat hulls are environment friendly,
- there won't be any bugs, mites, or fungus in the filling,
- your body will be supported all night long in a stable position,
- buckwheat pillows last very long term,
- pillowcases are easily removed and washed,
- buckwheat doesn't cause any allergic reactions.
WHAT ARE BUCKWHEAT HULL PILLOWS USED FOR?
Sleeping on a buckwheat pillow allows our body to rest in a natural position.
Buckwheat hull pillows are commonly prescribed by health care professionals for the relief of neck pain, back pain, headaches, muscle tension, snoring, TMJ syndrome, cervical and lumbar subluxations, torticolis, sleeplessness, and other conditions.
WHAT ARE BUCKWHEAT HULLS?
Buckwheat hulls are the husks that protect the buckwheat kernel from the various elements of nature. It is not a wheat at all, but actually a fruit
(fagopyrum esculentum) related to rhubarb. The buckwheat used in our pillows is organically grown in the United States, using no fertilizers or pesticides.
WHY BUCKWHEAT HULL FILLING?
One of the most important qualities of a buckwheat pillow is its ability to perfectly conform to the exact contours of our head and neck, providing complete, all around, reliable, and comfortable support. Fiber filled pillows are resiliant, they try to regain their original shape, even when you are lying on them. This places stress on the muscles of the neck and shoulders, as they must exert themselves to retain their position. Buckwheat maintains a stable form, so that once you achieve a comfortable position your muscles do not have to work and you are able to stay there effortlessly. This helps greatly with relieving neck, back, and muscle pain. Most of us spend 6 to 8 hours a night sleeping. To be able to sleep in an anatomically correct position is extremely beneficial to our whole body.
Other advantages of the buckwheat hull filling are the "cool in the summer, warm in the winter" insulating properties. The filling also lasts for many years. Long after other pillows have collapsed and worn out a buckwheat hull pillow will still be fully functional. Buckwheat hull pillows are also environmentally friendly - for each pillow put to use it will save the manufacturing of the synthetic filling for ten or more ordinary pillows. Buckwheat is a natural, inexpensive and renewable resource, unlike the petroleum-based foam used in many pillows.
Another very important quality of buckwheat pillows is that the buckwheat hulls allow air to circulate freely through the pillow. This results in a thermodynamic sleeping surface, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also helps keep your head dry and comfortable, and ensures that your head remains at a constant normal temperature. This means substantially less tossing and turning. Many people report waking up in the same position they went to sleep in. Most say they sleep better, are more comfortable and wake up more alert than they ever have before.
HOW LONG DO THE PILLOWS LAST?
DO THE HULLS WEAR OUT OR CRUMBLE?
The pillow should last for about 10 years. The hulls do not break down or wear out, but they do become polished with use. As the natural texture of the hulls become polished the pillows actually work better than new because the hulls move and conform to your contours easily. After the first year or two of use of the Makura and Rejuvenator Deluxe pillows you may need to add a little more filler as the polished hulls take up about 7% less volume. This should only need to be done once, it is not a continual process. Pillows have a little extra hulls in them than most people need and it is recommended that you remove and save the extra hulls for possible future use. If you ever do need additional hulls, they are available for a nominal charge.
I'M ALLERGIC TO WHEAT AND GRAIN,
CAN I USE BUCKWHEAT HULL PILLOWS?
Some people are allergic to buckwheat pillows, but this is usually a result of dust-covered hulls. To eliminate that possibility, buy only top quality buckwheat pillows produced by manufacturers that
roast the hulls. Many cheaper buckwheat pillows are filled with hulls that have been vacuumed, not roasted, which could leave dust residue that might trigger an allergy.
CAN CHILDREN USE THE PILLOW?
Newborns, and infants under 4 months old must never use ANY pillows or soft bedding materials such as comforters, sheepskin bed warmers etc. due to increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Although you can breathe straight through buckwheat hull filled pillows, the Carbon Dioxide concentration can increase causing risk to infants.
DO THE PILLOWS EVER GET BUGS/MITES/FUNGUS?
The hulls are what provide the natural protection to the buckwheat kernel from natures invading organisms, and since they are a fiber they are not nutritive. It is unheard of for any of our pillows in regular use to ever get any infestation. Any natural pillows kept in storage for long periods of time that are not in use may provide a habitat for any number of organisms, therefore if you are going to store a pillow for long periods of time it is recommended to keep the pillow in a freezer at least for one day per month as a preventive measure, especially if you live in a hot and humid environment. Alternatively, you may use a vacuum pack sealing system. This is preferable to adding chemical agents to the pillow. We believe that people should not be exposed to chemicals when they are sleeping. Most synthetic fiber, foam and feather pillows have formaldehyde, UV inhibitors, anti-fungal agents, stabilizers, plasticizer, etc. added. There are no chemical additives used in the growing of hulls for our pillows, and the only cleaning agent used is air.
HOW CAN I CLEAN THE PILLOWS?
The pillow cases can be machine washed and tumble dried. Iron if desired. Since it is almost impossible to dry soaked buckwheat hulls, we do not recommend cleaning the hulls. The inner liner will rarely need cleaning, but when it does simply remove the hulls from the zippered opening and wash the liner in warm water and tumble dry. Replace the hulls when the liner is completely dry.
