These seeds traditionally come from an herb called vaccaria but can also be made of ceramic or metal. They're placed on the outside of your ear over certain acupuncture points. They’re usually held in place by waterproof tape and stay on your ears for up to a week. According to the Public Health Acupuncture of New Mexico, to treat anxiety or stress with ear seeds, a person needs to place them on three points: Stimulation of these points is thought to promote the release of endorphins, which inhibit pain signals,” says Dr. Chu. He notes that the exact process from stimulation to relief in the body is not well understood. Some past research on auriculotherapy, which includes the various ways auricular points can be stimulated (acupuncture, electroacupuncture, acupressure, lasering, cauterization, moxibustion) suggests that the therapeutic effect of stimulation in certain parts of the ear may reduce activity in the neural pathways that signal pain. Possible Benefits of Auriculotherapy in General Christina Burns, an acupuncturist in private practice in New York City, says a professional can provide more efficient relief. “Having someone trained in this can help identify the best [pressure] point combinations,” she says. “They could also listen to your story and help assess where to focus.” What Does Ear Seeding Cost? It is claimed that ear seeds can alleviate the symptoms of numerous diseases, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, and digestive difficulties. It can even be used to treat substance abuse. Scott states, “I have people using ear therapy for addiction; they are attempting to quit smoking.”“Adults will have acupuncture and then depart with these seeds, which can reduce cravings,”

In ancient China, they used mustard seeds or other types of actual seeds,” says Anisha Durve, D.O.M., AP, a doctor of Oriental Medicine and practitioner at the Osher Center for Integrative Health, part of the University of Miami Health System. The theory is that acupressure points in the ear match up with spots on your body, and by placing the bead, you tell your nervous system to turn down pain receptors and stress hormones impacting the area, says Tiffany Lester, MD, an internist and acupuncturist at Parsley Health. In addition, Dr. Fisk informs parents that this is not a panacea but rather a therapy that may assist in alleviating symptoms in various situations. She writes, “I would caution patience and recommend starting such a treatment with the knowledge that it will likely require repeated treatments/visits.” Dr. Fisk herself has utilized acupuncture and ear seeds for migraine management, although it required several months of frequent treatments. She reports that it helped her recover and permitted her to use less medication. Ear Seeds Hazards Traditionally, ear seeds come from the flowering herb vaccaria. But today, you can also find metal or ceramic beads. Removing ear seeds after no more than five days is often advised. However, other acupuncturists, such as Scott, recommend a maximum of three days because bathing, perspiring, and having oily skin might erode the adhesive. Anyone can remove them by gently pulling them off their ear. *Image source: Pixelbay/Pexels/Unsplash Ear Seeds BenefitsEar seeds can be applied before or after the onset of a headache. If symptoms start while your ear seeds are on, gently massage the antitragus area for 10-15 seconds to amplify the pressure.

Ear seeds are popping up on social media and in massage studios as the latest trend culled from traditional Chinese medicine. Modern practitioners claim that ear seeds, when combined with acupuncture, can help fight everything from headaches and insomnia to indigestion and allergies.The ears reflect the condition of the internal organs,” Dr. Nguyen says, “so bodily problems will show on the ears. Certain points on the ear change in color, become tender or exhibit changes in size or shape. We use those signs to figure out where to put the seeds to help the patient.” Types of ear seeds The first group noticed better results than the second group after four weeks of treatment. Participants in the first group noted an overall decrease in pain intensity of 75 percent. The improvement lasted for at least a month. Insomnia This is really important, especially during the winter months. People, during the winter months, since it's colder, don't feel as much thirst, and they actually get more dehydrated than during the summer."

Using your thumb and index finger, apply firm but gentle pressure on the ear seeds to stimulate the healing process. Do this a few times per day. Dr. Paul Nogier of France was the first individual to describe a technique very similar to reflexology, and he is considered the “Father of Modern Ear Acupuncture”. Most experts agree that the health risks of ear seeds applied by a licensed professional are minimal — and they may provide more benefits than at-home application. A Chinese study revealed that auriculotherapy used on 90 subjects suffering from migraines without aura over a 10-day period revealed positive results after just one treatment. After you have first consulted with a licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Kim says applying them at home may be empowering for some. She says it’s a technique that the patient has control over and one that doesn’t necessarily require an appointment, once you’ve met with, and made a plan under the guidance of, a professional provider. Risks of At-Home Application of Ear Seeds

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Additionally, Blakeway and Chu warn that people with latex allergies should avoid ear seeds. “If redness and discomfort appear, the ear should be evaluated for signs of an allergic reaction,” says Chu. Dr. Fisk adds, “I would exercise caution in children whose parents are concerned that their child may fidget with the ear seed for fear of altering its position or disrupting the adhesion of the overlaying tape, as this can increase the danger of the seed going into the ear canal.” *Image source: Pexels/Unsplash/Pixelbay Where to Get Ear Seed If you choose the at-home route, under the guidance of your licensed acupuncturist, Blakeway advises you to write in a journal, noting the benefits you experience, any adverse symptoms, and how you feel. “Keep a record of your symptoms so you can evaluate if this modality is working for you,” she says. Ideally, ear seeds should be replaced once a week, but they often fall off after a couple of showers. This is fine. All you have to do is affix new ear seeds on a clean, dry ear to continue receiving the health benefits.

Massage ear seeds gently. Do this two to three times each day or when you have symptoms. Apply pressure by rubbing the seeds with a circular motion for one to three minutes. There are more than 120 acupressure points in the ear,” Dr. Nguyen says. “The ears have a very close relationship with the nervous system, and some research shows that acupuncture or acupressure on the ear can stimulate the meridians.” (According to traditional Chinese medicine, 12 primary meridians carry energy throughout the body.)Patients experience the most significant benefits when making healthy lifestyle choices (including diet, exercise, quality sleep, not smoking, and stress reduction). Ear seeds are generally safe. They’re noninvasive and don’t require the use of needles, so there’s a much lower risk of infection or bleeding compared to acupuncture. Although ear seeds are sold for use at home, Dr. Nguyen recommends first consulting with a licensed acupuncturist to make sure you’re putting them in the right place for your specific needs. During the study, 40 patients with musculoskeletal pain were carefully examined to determine which parts of their body were most troubled. Each patient was then draped with a sheet that concealed any visible physical problems.