Why use a cherry stone pillow? Warm clothing is often not enough to combat extreme cold

The focal point of feeling cold is the  body core temperature. In humans, it is around  37 degrees Celsius and is kept constant regardless of the ambient temperature. Unlike cold-blooded animals such as amphibians or insects, the human body has to work  when outdoor temperatures differ significantly from our optimum.

According to scientific studies, this optimum is around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius when unclothed. This is one reason why beach vacations are so popular with many people.

In autumn, temperatures drop, as we all know, and in winter they only rarely reach double figures. There are said to be people who can still walk around in a T-shirt without any problems at this time of year, but most people turn to  warmer clothing . This prevents heat from being lost through the skin.

But especially in the evening, when you want to relax on the sofa or fall asleep in an unheated room, many people know  the shivering that now takes hold of them. It happens because we are no longer moving, the room temperature drops, and we generally do not go to bed in a winter jacket despite leaving the window open.

So in winter,  we reach for a hot water bottle or grain pillow to bring warmth directly to our bodies for a while. Whether a hot water bottle or cherry stone pillow, these practical heat containers can also help  relax tense muscles or  relieve stomach pain. However, their main purpose remains combating the cold.

Continuous temperature control

Around 30,000 cold receptors and 3,000  heat receptors in the skin , abdominal cavity, and spinal cord are responsible for the  heat balance of the human body and maintaining a largely constant body temperature. They continuously check the current actual temperature and compare it with the target temperature.

If the receptors detect a drop in body temperature,  the body reacts immediately . Blood vessels in the fingers, hands, feet, toes, nose, and ears contract and narrow. More blood is directed toward the body's interior, where it stays warm and  supplies the vital organs .

We find this process particularly unpleasant when our feet refuse to warm up even under the covers or our fingers are ice-cold despite wearing gloves.  A hot water bottle or grain pillow provides relief. The heat emitted by these heat containers penetrates deep into the tissue and pleasantly warms the hands or feet in a very short time.

The temperature of hot water bottles or cherry stone pillows also stimulates blood circulation, which we immediately perceive as a feeling of warmth. At the same time, improved circulation also has a  relaxing and calming effect, making it easier to fall asleep.

Knitted fabrics provide good heat transfer, especially in combination with a hot water bottle or cherry stone pillow

Hot water bottle or grain pillow - what is the difference?

Whether a hot water bottle or grain pillow, both provide pleasant warmth, relaxation, and comfort. Their main difference lies in how they are used. While  hot water bottles are filled with hot water ,  grain pillows are heated in the oven or microwave. The various fillings, such as grains, seeds, and stones, can all store heat and release it slowly.

Structure and materials of hot water bottles

Hot water bottles are usually produced  in the typical bottle shape with a rectangular body and a short neck. There are also special shapes for specific applications, such as  tubular neck hot water bottles for neck tension or  foot warmers with integrated hot water bottles. The hot water bottle itself is made of flexible, waterproof plastic.

High-quality models are often made of  natural rubber without plasticizers - these hot water bottles retain their temperature for a long time and meet high quality standards. Hot water bottles should also be made  from a single piece to avoid weak points such as seams. The only opening is used to fill the water and should have a leak-proof thread. A  TÜV seal provides information about a hot water bottle's leak resistance.

Since the surface of hot water bottles can become very hot, they are generally provided  with a protective cover . Some manufacturers already offer their hot water bottles with a soft cover. Hot water bottles are available in this online shop in various versions with covers made of  fleece, velour, plush, or knitted fabric .

Before use, the hot water bottle can also be wrapped in a towel, but a fitted cover sits more securely and does not slip during use. The cover also makes cuddling with the hot water bottle more comfortable. This is especially true of children's hot water bottles, whose covers are designed as fun cuddly toys.

Hugo Frosch Classic Hot Water Bottle 1.8 L, Knitted Cover, Pastel Blue

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Sänger Hot Water Bottle 2L, with Embossed Cover, Blackberry

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Sänger Plush Toy, 0.8 L Hot Water Bottle, Zipper, Bear Iwan

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The dried seeds or grains in grain pillows can store heat for a long time

Structure and types of grain pillows and their fillings

Grain pillows consist of a completely closed pillow, into which the  filling of stones, grains, or seeds is sewn . Some versions have an additional cover, while others consist only of the simple pillow. Grain pillows for children are available with covers designed like cuddly toys. There is also a wide selection of different shapes.

In most cases, grain pillows are  cherry stone pillows, but  spelt grains, rapeseeds, rye, wheat, millet, flaxseeds, or grape seeds are also suitable as fillings. The filling of grain pillows not only stores heat for a long time, but often also releases a pleasant, subtle scent that contributes to relaxation.

Since the grains are loose inside the pillow, many cherry stone pillows can  flexibly conform to the shape of the body, be placed around the neck, or wrapped around the feet. Another major advantage of cherry stone pillows over hot water bottles is, of course, that  handling hot water is unnecessary.

Behrend Cherry Stone Pillow, Cherry Stone Design, 17cmx17cm

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Sänger Cherry Stone Pillow, Fun Animal Cover Crocodile Cristopher

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Sänger Cherry Stone Neck Pillow Boa, Velvet Texture

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Filling hot water bottles correctly

Hot water bottles are  never filled completely, but always only  half filled. The water should be hot, but must not boil. Boiling water creates steam inside the hot water bottle, but there is not enough space for it. The steam expands the bottle and, in the worst case, can cause it to burst. This can result in severe burns.

So how hot should the hot water bottle be filled? Experts recommend filling hot water bottles with water at  about 60 degrees Celsius .  A lower temperature should be chosen for babies.  40 degrees Celsius is already sufficient. The best way to reach this temperature is not to bring the water fully to a boil in the kettle or to let it cool for a few minutes after boiling.

Alternatively, boiling water can be mixed with cold water. After filling the bottle, squeeze out the remaining air before tightly closing the screw cap. This prevents the hot water bottle from cooling down more quickly.

When preparing a hot water bottle, pay attention to the water temperature and the filling amount

What should you keep in mind regarding hygiene when using cherry stone pillows and hot water bottles?

Hot water bottles are emptied after use and hung up with the opening facing downward to dry. The covers can easily be removed and washed in the washing machine.

Generally speaking, the plastic of a hot water bottle is heat-resistant, but it can deteriorate with frequent use. Hot water bottles should therefore be  replaced regularly .

Grain pillows with an extra cover or cuddly toy can usually also be cleaned in the washing machine without any problems. However, the pillow with the  grain filling should not be washed. There is a risk that mold may form.