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When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep and honoring your body’s natural alignment, take a tip from the Japanese and switch to a buckwheat pillow. Also called sobakawa, buckwheat pillows originated in Japan but are now used all over the world as more and more people discover their benefits.
Here’s how these pillows work along with a guide to finding the best buckwheat pillow for you.
What is a Buckwheat Pillow?
Unlike traditional pillows, which are filled with down or memory foam, buckwheat pillows are named after their filling: buckwheat husks. These husks are the hard outer shell of the buckwheat seeds and have a firm feel. When used as pillow filling, their firmness supports your neck, spine, and back in a way that alleviates stress and helps you sleep more comfortably.
Think of a buckwheat pillow sort of like a giant bean bag. Like a bean bag, the filling inside a buckwheat pillow isn’t lumpy or soft, but rather firm and malleable.
Is a Buckwheat Pillow Better Than a Regular Pillow?
The best buckwheat pillows conform perfectly to the contours of your head and neck while also naturally keeping you cool and dry as you sleep. They are naturally hypoallergenic, too, and durable. Buckwheat pillows are known to outlast their different-material competitors since buckwheat is less likely to sink and sag, thereby extending the life of your pillow. People also love buckwheat pillows because they are adjustable: you can remove and add husks to your liking.
When choosing the best buckwheat pillow for you, the main consideration should be the pillow’s design, since the husks themselves do not differ in significant ways. The traditional Japanese size for a buckwheat pillow is 14 by 20 inches, which is small by American standards. However, buckwheat pillows also come in standard queen sizes, too. For extra neck support, some buckwheat pillows are also designed as cylinders.
No matter your design preferences, we’ve selected some of the best buckwheat pillows available so you can get a more comfortable night’s sleep – the natural way.
