Memory Foam Pillows vs Buckwheat Pillows

Memory Foam or Visco Elastic Foam is part of a commissioned innovation from the mid-1960s when NASA was seeking safety and comfort improvement for astronauts traveling into space. The foam was used initially for medical cushioning including medical mattresses, wheel chair cushioning and support cushioning. While Memory Foam has been around for many years, it has only recently been offered for commercial use for sleep products including mattresses and pillows.

Memory foam is highly regarded as a support system for pain relief and support for injury and medical condition recovery. Memory foam contours to the body and as the body heat warms the visco elastic foam the foam responds and softens to allow for easy movement. Memory foam is hypo-allergenic and allergen free and dust mite resistant. Memory foam made from soy based foam does not release VOC or volatile gas emissions.

Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows are usually contoured by design to create the best alignment for the neck and spine and to create support for the head while sleeping. Memory foam pillows, like memory foam bedding will add support for medical conditions, injury and chronic pain relief.

As with Memory foam mattresses and mattress toppers, memory foam pillows are responsive to body heat and both contour and conform to the sleeper’s shape and movements. The body heat allows the pillow to soften and the sleeper can move freely from position to position through the night.

Consumers using memory foam pillows rate them will from soft to supportive, while they take some time for some sleepers to get used to they are highly rated by consumers for comfort, relief from pain and stress and support for back and spine.

Buckwheat Hulls

Buckwheat is a fruit similar to sunflower seed, with a single seed inside a hard outer hull. The hull is dark brown or black, and some may be included in buckwheat flour as dark specks. The name 'buckwheat' or 'beech wheat' comes from its triangular seeds, which resemble the much larger seeds of the beech nut from the beech tree, and the fact that it is used like wheat. Despite the common name and the grain-like use of the crop, buckwheat is not a cereal or grass. It is called a pseudocereal to emphasize that it is not related to wheat.

Buckwheat Pillows

Buckwheat hulls are used in upholstery for filler including cushions and pillows. Organic buckwheat and millet hulls don’t compress and lose volume the way all other fiber, feather and foam pillows do. Buckwheat hulls move and conform to the needs of the sleeper. While it is believed that buckwheat hulls prevent allergic reactions, studies have found that the hulls actually activate an allergic reaction that can aggravate asthma. Some people have an allergic reaction to the residue of buckwheat flour.

Some consumers have trouble getting used to the firmness and hardness of the buckwheat hulls, especially as they support the side of head or ears. Buckwheat hull pillows can be cooled for relief from pain, but are not recommended to be heated.

Conclusion

Buckwheat pillows are harder, but many people prefer the organic quality of the pillow. The hulls can be uncomfortable for many and cause allergic reactions in some due to the residue from the buckwheat flour.

Memory foam pillows are softer, and soy based memory foam pillows are eco-friendly without VOC emissions. The memory foam conforms to the sleepers head, neck and spine and will aid in pain relief, but takes time to adjust to the shape and feel.

While either pillow will provide more support than a traditional pillow, they will take some getting used to and if you are seeking an allergen free pillow, with softer support the Memory Foam Pillow appears to be the best bet.