Does Ear Seeding Actually Work?

Feeling stressed or struggling with low level pain? The answer might lie in switching your earrings to ear seeds, the latest wellness accessory du jour. A holistic practice that has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ear seeding is trending on TikTok right now, where devotees are raving about the skin, health, stress reduction and pain relief benefits. It’s popular among A-listers too, with a fanbase that includes Kate Moss and Penelope Cruz – but what actually is it? And does it really work?

What Is Ear Seeding?

Ear seeding is a type of auricular therapy which sees small, gold-plated seeds non-invasively placed on specific acupressure points on the ear. Similar to acupuncture (but without the needles), it’s based on the belief that the ear is a microcosm of the rest of the body, and can positively influence other areas. Historically, the seeds were derived from the vaccaria plant, but modern ear seeds are also made with metal or ceramic, and attached using adhesive tape.

‘Ear seeding is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that works by gently stimulating pressure points on the ear to bring balance to the body and mind,’ explains Giselle Boxer, who founded her ear seed brand East Healing after winning backing on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den. ‘Tiny seeds are placed on specific points, which correspond to different organs and systems, helping to improve sleep, support mood, release tension and ease stress.’

The practice is in the limelight right now following a viral video in which creator Sarah Palmyra shows the impact of ear seeding on her skin, demonstrating significant depuffing effects. ‘It’s painful but the results are worth it and I felt so much release in my neck after,’ she writes in the caption. The video garnered over 14 million views, sparking an uptick in interest surrounding the trend – with data from Google Trends showing searches for ‘ear seeding’ are higher than ever before. 

@sarahpalmyra If you had any doubt that ear seeding works, watch this video right now! My friend @AVA showed me how to use her @byAVA ear seeding kit and I was amazed. It works by stimulating pressure points in your ear that help release different areas in your body to correct posture and depuff the face. It’s painful but the results are worth it and I felt so much release in my neck after! #earseeds #koreanbeautysecret #depuffwithme #lymphaticdrainage ♬ оригинальный звук – julia౨ৎ˚

However, ear seeding is an ancient technique which has been used in East Asia for thousands of years, eventually spreading around the world. In the 1950s, a French neurologist named Dr. Paul Nogier developed the modern auricular ear map, which paved the way for ear seeding as we know it today. 

What Are The Benefits?

Advocates report a whole host of positive effects, including reducing chronic pain, lowering anxiety and supporting the digestive system. And while it might all sound a bit woo woo, the World Health Organisation officially recognises auricular therapy – which includes ear seeding – as an effective form of microacupuncture.

There’s some scientific evidence to back up the claims too. One study from 2023 explored how ear seeding impacted people suffering from lower back pain following spinal surgery. Half of the 56 participants had seeds placed on specific points on their ears, while the other half received a placebo. After five weeks, the ear seeds group reported significant improvements in pain, as well as better deep sleep. The researchers concluded that ear seeds are a safe and effective form of pain treatment, although they also acknowledged that further research is needed on the topic. 

Scientists also looked into the effects of ear seeding on stress, depression and anxiety, focusing on a group of nurses. Similarly, half the participants received real auricular acupressure, while the other half received a placebo. The results were positive here too: after five weeks, those who had experienced real ear seeding had increased levels of serotonin, although researchers concluded more evidence was needed to suggest it helps with stress reduction.

A review from 2015, meanwhile, found ear seeding appeared to reduce the symptoms of insomnia, when combined with acupuncture.  

Recently, there has been a lot of hype about the physical impact of ear seeding, with TikTokers claiming it can help with depuffing the face. We can’t find any science backing this up, but there’s a lot of anecdotal evidence (just take a look at TikTok). 

It’s worth noting that, although Boxer maintains ear seeding played a part in her personal healing journey from ME (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), there is no scientific evidence showcasing the link. On the ME Association website, it reads: ‘Unfortunately, due to the lack of high-quality clinical trials it is currently not possible to draw firm conclusions about the benefits of acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the evidence that does exist indicates that acupuncture and moxibustion may have positive benefits.’

Can You Do It Yourself?

Nowadays, there are many safe at-home kits which guide you through administering the seeds yourself, such as East Healing and AcuPips. They come complete with ear maps, which you can use to identify areas you’re keen to improve. East Healing then recommends cleaning the ear and allowing it to dry, before carefully lifting the adhesive and applying the seeds to the desired area of application. 

If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, auricular therapy is on offer at many acupuncture and wellness clinics. 

Is It Safe For Everyone?

Ear seeding is generally not recommended for pregnant women, or those with sensitive skin, metal allergies or pre-existing ear conditions.