Ear Seeds: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Ear seeds are based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and are a form of auriculotherapy. It uses the acupressure points in your ear to stimulate other body parts. These are tiny latex stickers, come in a fingernail size, containing a ripe seed from the Vaccaria plant.

Dr. Nguyen says that auriculotherapy has a major use in traditional Chinese medicine. It helps to treat different conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, substance abuse, and gynecological and digestive disorders. According to the doctor, it is an acupuncture needle used to stimulate a channel to better the patient's condition.

What are Ear Seeds?

Ear seeds are such types of seeds used on ears to serve as tiny acupressure devices. These offer both comfort and relaxation, and you can use them for pain, insomnia, substance abuse, and mental problems like anxiety, grief, etc.

They come from a herb that we know as Vaccaria. However, these can consist of ceramic or metal. Make sure that you place them outside the ear over specific acupuncture points. You can find waterproof tape here that allows the seeds to stay on the ears for up to a week.

These are safe to use for any person. However, you should consult your doctor about any alternative treatments if you want to try or have tried. A few people use them with acupuncture treatments, which are helpful to last them longer between sessions.

Ear Seeds Types:

Vaccaria is the main type of seeds used mostly in the ear seeds. However, other versions consist of ion pellets, magnets, stainless steel, and titanium, ceramic or other materials.

Whether you have allergies to latex, bandages, or tape, ensure that you should consult with your acupuncturist.

Health Benefits of Ear Seeds:

These may not treat chronic pain or other conditions, and it is a valuable addition to medical treatment. These can help you with:

• Substance abuse 
• Pain, numbness, and tingling from chemotherapy 
• Lower back pain 
• Insomnia 
• Weight loss 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Trauma 
• Grief 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

Risks:

There may not exist any major side effects. But you can experience minor symptoms after using them. These include:

• Discomfort or skin irritation 
• Minor bleeding 
• Dizziness 
• Infection 
• Sleepiness 

Whether you face a latex allergy or sensitivity, you need to ask your practitioner to keep your seeds secured using latex-free tape.

We have given here a few problems that you can face.

Skin Tenderness:

 While rubbing them too hard, it can cause a little pain in the spots where they are stuck.

Skin Irritation: 

Whether you have sensitive skin or keep them on your ears for a long time, it can cause redness, irritation, or swelling.

Allergic Reaction: 

Are you allergic to any ingredients in the ear seeds or materials used in them? If so, consult with your acupuncturist, and you should ask them to use a version that won't contain those allergens.

Dizziness or Nausea: 

If you stimulate the wrong point on your body mistakenly, you can feel faint, woozy, or general illness.

Losing Seed in-Ear Canal:

These get stuck to an adhesive, but they can fall off themselves. If anything such happens, you will need medical attention to remove it. That's why Dr. Nguyen asks another person to do these to your ears.

Accidental Labor: 

According to the warning of Dr. Nguyen, a certain point is there on your ear that may induce labor. Therefore, you should save the ear seeds until after birth with safety.

Ear Seeds How to use :

1. Allow a professional to apply them:

You can get them available for use at home. But according to Dr. Nguyen's recommendation, it is better to consult with a licensed acupuncturist to ensure that you are placing these in the correct place for specific requirements.

She said you should first consult with the practitioner or your primary care provider. They help you by letting you know if all are safe for your condition.

2. Massage them gently:

You need to massage them 3-5 times each day. Ensure that you are slowly rubbing them in a circular motion to stimulate the body parts.

She says you should not press down so hard to your hurting point. Press gently to feel the stimulation.

3. Remove these after 3-5 days: 

The more time goes by, the seeds will lose the stickiness, mainly while these come in contact with the moisture in the air and water while taking a shower. Even if these remain stuck, you need to remove these after some days, so they don't start irritating your skin.

The bottom line:

Take advice from an acupuncturist first to know how you should do these. Then, you can apply the seeds to get the most advantages. If you're willing, try yourself at home. According to Dr. Nguyen, it is better if someone else does the job using tweezers, and it makes sure that they are in the correct spot.