Buckwheat Pillows Buckwheat hulls, also known as sobakawa hulls or sobagara husks have been used in pillows, also known as "makura" for over 600 years in Japan. The word “makura” is the Japanese word for pillow. For over 5 centuries, Asian Health Specialists and Healers have been aware of the therapeutic benefits that come with sleeping on buckwheat hull pillows. Its use has been widespread throughout Asian countries such as China and Japan. The secrets of the buckwheat pillow have spread throughout most of the western world in the past 20 years. After milling the BUCKWHEAT, the hulls are cleaned to use as filling for pillows. The buckwheat hulls have a small and uneven shape, allowing air to circulate through it, leaving you cool in summer, warm in winter, and always waking refreshed and revitalized. Buckwheat hulls are neither too soft, nor too hard, and in a pillow, can be easily shaped to suit the individual, relaxing the muscles whilst you sleep. It helps maintain a healthy cervical spine and prevents muscle disorders Using the Buckwheat Pillow The Buckwheat Hull Pillow is unlike any pillow you ever slept on before. The pillow is not soft and fluffy: it is designed for your head to lay on it, not to sink into it. The key is your individual preference and comfort. By nestling your head into the pillow, you will find that it forms a contour that provides support to your head and neck allowing for a more relaxed sleep. A New way to Sleep It may take you a number of nights to get the full benefits of a buckwheat pillow. It does make a rustling sound when you move around on it, but you soon will get used to this; some people say it is a comforting sound like leafs on trees. If you are testing the pillow, the best way is to use it for at least a week. Where to buy the best Buckwheat Hull Pillow? If you are looking to buy a Buckwheat Hull Pillow, a great source is the Pillow Company, which sells online and by telephone a large high quality selection of buckwheat hulls pillows, and best of all, they use CERTIFIED ORGANIC buckwheat hulls. Their pillows are made in the USA.