Grain pillows are optimal aids for a variety of ailments due to their diverse properties. Thus, depending on their respective filling material, they can serve both in heat and cold treatments to counteract complaints such as tension, muscle pain or colds.
What is a grain pillow?
To develop their full effectiveness, grain pillows must first be warmed or cooled to a certain temperature. A grain pillow represents a natural remedy used in heat and cold therapy and can be filled with many different materials. It is made of biological raw materials and can appear in many different forms, which are characterized by different properties. Thus, depending on the filling material, the grain pillows can be used in a wide range of diseases. However, in order to develop their full effectiveness, the grain pillows must first be heated or cooled to a certain temperature. This allows them to be used either within a heat treatment or as a cold compress for cold therapy. The care of the grain pillows can be done both by hand and in the washing machine at 30 °.
Shapes, types and kinds
Grain pillows are available in numerous variations, in which especially the size and shape can vary from pillow to pillow. For example, the pillows can now be found in stores as slippers, cuddly toys or warming scarves. The fillings of the grain pillows can also be differentiated between different materials. For example, the pillows can be filled with cereal grains of rye, millet, rapeseed or spelt. Especially due to the optimal storage properties of the cereal grains, the desired temperature can thus be maintained continuously at the selected level and stored for a longer time. However, in addition to cereal grains, fruit pits from grapes or cherries can also serve as filling material. These can absorb a dry heat or cold, respectively, and are thus also ideally suited as fillings of grain pillows.
Structure, function and mode of action
The grain pillow owes its special effect on diseases mainly to its characteristic structure and the special properties of the respective filling material. Thus, the structure is characterized by the so-called quilting, which divides the pillow into individual chambers. These chambers, which can run both transversely and longitudinally, prevent the respective filling from slipping. The mode of action of a grain pillow is also characterized by the temperature control, which can vary depending on the field of application. In a microwave application, the pillows are heated for about 90 seconds at a maximum of 800 watts, while in an oven they are heated at 100° for about 10 to 15 minutes. On the other hand, if the grain pillow is to be used as a coolant, it is placed in a freezer or refrigerator. The functioning of a grain pillow also depends on the particular filling. For example, due to their high oil content, rapeseed grains have optimal heat or cold absorption and the greatest heat storage time of all types of grains. The oil content of cherry stones also allows them to store heat for a very long period of time. Spelt husk, on the other hand, is very breathable and moisture regulating and thus able to prevent heat accumulation and absorb body heat.
Medical and health benefits
Depending on its particular filling, grain pillows are suitable for many different medical treatments. First of all, heated pillows are often used for tension, which they can loosen and in the best case completely. In this case, the shape of the pillow should always be optimally suited for the respective part of the body. Warmed grain pillows are also used for complaints such as colds or menstrual disorders. If there is severe pain in the muscles, both a heated and a cooling pillow can be used. However, if sprains or bruises on the body are the main concern, the grain pillow is used exclusively in cooled form. In addition, a grain pillow finds another medical use in the treatment of eye pressure. Here, special grain pillows made in the format of eyeglasses are used, which are also called grain glasses and provide relief to the affected eyes.Especially grain pillows, which are filled with rapeseed grains, are often used as an alternative to the hot water bottle for small children and infants. Spelt pillows are also used for allergies. In turn, pillows filled with cherry pits are used for therapeutic purposes for people with disabilities. For example, they are used in occupational therapy, in which they promote motor finger and grasping exercises.
