The Rise of Natural Ingredients in Pillows: A New Trend in Wellness
Luxury spa stuff? No, not anymore. What was once only found in select wellness centers is now becoming more accessible to everyone: pillows filled with natural ingredients like cherry stones, chaff, salt, herbs, seeds, flowers, and more.
These pillows are not just for decoration or comfort, but they also offer a range of health benefits. For example, pillows filled with mountain herbs or hay and alpine flowers can help with relaxation and aromatherapy, while rice husk aids in relaxation and spelled husk aids in sleep. Other ingredients like millet chaff and buckwheat husk can help with neck and cervical pain, improve circulation, and even cool down in the summer and warm up in the winter.
One traditional ingredient that has been used for centuries is cherry stones, which are known for their ability to release tension from the cervical area and relieve joint pain. Pine wood is another popular ingredient that is antibacterial and balsamic, ideal for those suffering from respiratory ailments. Hot salt and pink Himalayan salt pillows can help with joint and back pain, while hops and hemp seeds can aid in sleep and relieve various types of pain.
Two newer additions to the pillow universe are Kapok and shungite, with Kapok being a lightweight fiber rich in lignin and cellulose, and shungite being a mineral composed mainly of carbon that can help with energy levels and immune defenses. And let’s not forget about the importance of pillowcases, with silk being breathable and beneficial for the skin, while linen is also breathable and thermoregulating.
Dr. Beatrice De Felici, a specialist doctor in the Dermatology department of the Maggiore hospital, notes the benefits of silk pillowcases in reducing sleep wrinkles and pillow creases, as well as reducing bacterial content in contact with the skin. As we approach summer, these natural ingredient-filled pillows and breathable pillowcases are becoming not just a trend, but a new standard in wellness.