Ear seeds, also known as auriculotherapy, is a companion therapy to acupuncture based in the stimulation of the auricle, or external ear, using pressure in the form of tiny “seeds” to treat symptoms and conditions located throughout the whole body. Based on the principles of acupuncture, auriculotherapy uses the ear as a tiny map for the whole body, with tons of acupuncture points in the ear corresponding to just about every organ, hormone, and system. The specific anatomy of the ear makes it unique. To start, the ear is enervated by 4 nerves, a lot for such a small structure. The working theory is that applying pressure to the external ear stimulates these nerves, which relay to the central nervous system, stimulating neurotransmitters that relax and reduce pain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown brain activity in the parts of the brain corresponding to the auricular acupuncture points selected. For example, the point on the ear corresponding to the stomach point produces activity in the hypothalamus satiety center, same as if you were eating. The thumb area on the ear activates the precentral gyrus, which is same area activated by direct stimulation of an actual thumb. This means that our brains interpret stimulation of these corresponding ear points as stimulation of the actual body part. This is how intricate, smart, and magical our bodies are! If you still need to be convinced, even our military is using auriculotherapy for pain relief on the battlefield.

Since the whole person is represented on the ear, almost any health issue can be supported with ear seeds: anxiety, depression, detoxification, digestive issues, fatigue, headaches, immunity, insomnia, libido, moon cycles, pain, stress, seasonal symptoms, and more. Ear seeds can be a great way to reap the benefits of acupuncture in between appointments with your regular acupuncturist, or if needles make you uncomfortable. You have more freedom than you might think when you have ear seeds on. You can shower with them, exercise, sleep with them on, talk on your phone, and generally live your life however you normally do. Ear seeds will fall out naturally over a three to five day period, but you can also remove them whenever you want. As ear seeds have become more popular, they’ve also become more diversified in their appearance. Consumers can choose a more traditional, unobtrusive look, or choose ear seeds that look like decorative earrings.

Equilibrium Acupuncturist, Suzanne Chi, says ear seeds are safe and effective for the general public and she would recommend them to anyone looking for supportive, non-pharmacological treatment backed by Traditional Chinese Medicine and science.