Grain pillow (cherry stone pillow)
Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for
More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.Grain pillows (cherry stone pillows, spelled pillows, rape pillows) are tried and tested household remedies. When warm, it is mainly used by young and old as a remedy for muscle tension and pain. Read more about using the grain pillow!
What is a grain pillow?
A grain pillow is a cotton sack filled with grains. The filling often consists of cherry stones. But there are also grain pillows with spelled, grape seeds or rapeseed. The function is the same regardless of the filling: If you warm the pillow, the cores give off heat for a long time and continuously. This helps against cramps, muscle stiffness and relieves pain. The grain cushion can also be used cold - as a cooling cushion or replacement for cooling pads.
How does the grain pillow work?
The grain cushion works by releasing heat or cold. The cores contained in it store the temperature longer than water and release it evenly. This makes the treatment gentle. An advantage over other heat or cold treatments: Because the kernels are in a cotton cover, there is no direct skin contact - and therefore less risk of burns or frostbite.
How is the cherry stone pillow used correctly?
So that the grain pillow can develop its effect, it must be tempered. For heat application, place the pillow in the oven at around 60 degrees Celsius and heat it until the desired temperature is reached.
The microwave is also suitable for heating: at 600 watts it takes about a minute for the grain pillow to warm up. The maximum time the pillow should be heated can be found in the manufacturer's instructions. Then knead the pillow to distribute the heat evenly and apply it to the affected part of the body.
If you want the pillow to cool, you can put it in a plastic bag in the freezer for several hours. Then knead it and place it on the painful part of the body like a cold pack.
In children and people with sensory disorders, check the temperature on their own forearms before putting them on. If the pillow is too hot or too cold, do not place it directly on the skin, but first wrap it in an additional cloth.
The grain pillow can be used as long as the person concerned feels the warmth or cold as pleasant. It can be reused as often as you like.
Which complaints does a grain pillow help with?
A warm grain pillow relieves the following ailments:
- stomach pain
- Wind (flatulence)
- Constipation (constipation)
- Restlessness
- sleep disorders
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
- Cystitis
- Tension
- Back pain
Applied cold, a grain pillow helps as a home remedy for the following ailments:
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Joint pain
- headache
- Milk congestion
When is the grain pillow discouraged?
A grain pillow should not be used if the patient is very sensitive to heat or cold. This also applies if the skin is irritated or injured in the corresponding area.
Heart patients should discuss the use of heat with their doctor beforehand. People with a neurological disorder or a sensitivity or circulatory disorder should also be careful and discuss heat or cold treatment with their doctor. Burns or frostbite can easily occur in them unnoticed.
The same goes for babies and children. Therefore, before using heat or cold, always test the temperature on your own forearm and, if necessary, place a cloth between the grain pillow and the skin.
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not get better or even worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
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