Buckwheat Pillows: Where Did They Come From

Buckwheat pillows are a relatively new trend in the United States in Canada, only recently gaining popularity. Oddly, the buckwheat pillow is not a new technology at all - it has actually been used all over the word for centuries!

Buckwheat was first used as a filler for pillows by ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians were one of the first races to develop beds and pillows for sleep, and buckwheat was their material of choice, as it was comfortable and widely available throughout their territory.

Egyptians developed the pillows because they saw the vast importance of getting a good night's sleep, and knew that adequate neck support was needed in order to get a proper rest. They often laid their dead to rest with a buckwheat pillow supporting their head - as they wanted them to be comfortable for their long journey through the afterlife. As Egyptians have been known as pioneers of many modern conveniences we now enjoy, the buckwheat pillow is one of the many things they invented.

As time passed, and other countries waged war and invaded Egypt, they "stole" the concept of the buckwheat pillow and brought it back to their own country. This helped the mass spread of buckwheat for pillows throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.

In more modern times, buckwheat pillows were adapted and widely used by the Chinese. They expanded on the basic, traditional Egyptian buckwheat pillow and integrated it with their ornate designs. They created beautiful buckwheat pillows that could even be considered art by some, and were often used as currency for trade.

In the last 50 years, the commercial value of buckwheat pillows has increased substantially with their introduction into North America, where they are enjoyed by millions of American and Canadians. They are also used widely throughout Western Europe. One of the main reasons for the widespread success of the buckwheat pillow is their effectiveness with those who suffer from allergy problems. Buckwheat hull pillows are an excellent choice for those afflicted with allergies, and a definite substitute for traditional down pillows which have been known to cause allergy problems for many people.

Organic buckwheat pillows are now highly sought after and are available in a variety of stores, and online websites. Originally popular with health junkies, they are now gaining mainstream success in the US market.

While a relatively new concept in more developed countries, the sobakawa buckwheat pillow has been used for thousands of years. Now that people around the world are more and more likely to experience the comfort of a buckwheat pillow, there is no doubt that their popularity is on the rise!