You may have experienced ear seeds during one of your acupuncture appointments. I sometimes apply them at the end of a treatment. The seeds remain in place for a few days after application. This helps to continue the effects of treatment. Learn how easy it is to use ear seeds at home.
What are Ear Seeds?
Ear seeds are tiny seeds or beads, often made from Vaccaria seeds, metal pellets, or even small adhesive stickers containing microbeads. They are placed on specific points on the outer ear, known as auricular points, which correspond to different parts of the body and various health issues.
How Auriculotherapy can help
The concept of using ear seeds is based on the principle of auriculotherapy, which is similar to acupuncture but focuses on the ear. In TCM, the ear is a microsystem of the body, and stimulating certain points on the ear can influence corresponding body regions, tissues, organs and systems.
Ear seeds are used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, stress, anxiety, digestive issues, and more. They can be used as a complement to other forms of acupuncture or as a standalone treatment.
The seeds or beads are applied to the ear using adhesive stickers. Once in place, they can be pressed gently to stimulate the points, and they typically stay in place for several days. The idea is that continuous mild pressure will help to stimulate the acupuncture points over time.
Using ear seeds is less invasive than traditional needle acupuncture and can be a convenient option for patients to manage symptoms on their own. It’s also useful for extending the benefits of a professional acupuncture session.
How to Apply Ear Seeds at Home
Often the seeds will be applied in the office by your therapist. However, in some cases you may have been sent home with extra seeds to apply at home. Once you get the hang of it, ear seeds are easy to apply. You will need a few basic supplies:
- rubbing alcohol
- cotton swabs or some facial tissue
- tweezers
- a mirror
- instructions or a guide on where to place the seeds
Here is some information on how to apply the ear seeds at home.
Steps for Application
- Wipe your ear with rubbing alcohol (on a cotton swab or facial tissue) and let the skin dry.
- Use tweezers to remove a seed patch from the plastic backing tray.
- Apply the seeds to the points marked on the instruction guide. If you have difficulty seeing the correct seed location in the mirror, you may need a friend to help you apply the seeds.
- Stimulate the seeds with a gentle press or circular motion for 5-10 seconds each; repeat 4-5 times per day or as needed.
- Leave seeds in place for a maximum of 4 days.
- To keep the seeds on during a shower ensure the adhesive is well stuck before the shower and avoid direct exposure of your ear to the water spray.
- If you find that the seeds irritate your skin (redness, itching, pain) remove them and clean your ear.
References:
For more information about types of ear seeds: https://www.earseeds.com/about/
