Ear Seeds- What are they? And what do they do?
As an acupuncturist, I love seeing Novak Djokovic bring ear seeds to the mainstream spotlight on the Centre Court at Wimbledon.
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These tiny stickers with small ‘seeds’ of gold, silver or vaccaria apply gentle pressure to specific areas, stimulating the nervous system to support deep relaxation, stress management, & physical recovery. They can be used as a support between acupuncture sessions or as a stand alone treatment. They are a non-invasive & pain-free treatment. Perfect for you if you are nervous of needles or need extra support.
The ear is a complete microsystem of the human body. As a practitioner, I don't just stick them anywhere; I assess each patient's unique needs to create optimal, targeted point combinations.
Areas of the body & where they are on the ear
To activate, the seeds can pressed gently or massaged for a few minutes. They are stuck on to your ear with a small plaster. The adhesives generally last up to 3-5 days, sometimes longer but be gentle when drying hair, avoid rubbing with a towel.
Here are some conditions that can be helped by auricular ear seeds.
1. Sleep & Insomnia
When your mind is racing & you’re finding it difficult to sleep. Ear seeds placed in the right positions can shift the mind & body into a restorative, restful state, calming & aiding sleep. Good points include:
· Shen Men: Known as the "Spirit Gate," this calms the mind & anxiety.
· Heart: Regulates spirit & emotional balance.
· Brain / Subcortex: Helps quiet an overactive mind & induces relaxation.
2. Stress & Anxiety
Whether prepping for a Grand Slam match or surviving a gruelling work week, or just having a stressful time of it. This Stress Protocol is a game-changer:
· Sympathetic: Calms the nervous system & triggers the body's "rest and digest" response.
· Shen Men: Reduces overall nervous tension.
· Kidney: In TCM this organ is strongly related to the adrenals.
3. Pain Management.
Athletes & office workers experience physical tension. While nothing replaces the hands-on placement of a full acupuncture treatment, ear seeds provide continuous support by placing seeds on the corresponding anatomical zones (such as the Knee, Shoulder, or Lower Back) alongside points like Liver (which governs tendons and muscles) & Lung (which governs breathing and vitality).
4. Headaches & Migraines
Headaches and migraines can be hugely debilitating. Combining regular acupuncture treatment with ear seeds is a powerful way to decrease headache regularity & strength & help manage additional symptoms such as nausea, tinnitus & fatigue.
Important points are:
· Shen Men: Calms the mind & reduces stress
· Liver & Gal l Bladder: Addresses the root cause of disharmony in Chinese Medicine.
· Hypothalamus / Zero: Balance the hormonal system and nervous system.
5. Hormonal Imbalance
For issues ranging from thyroid issues to reproductive or menstrual support (endometriosis, PMOS, painful periods, irregular periods). Auricular acupuncture can help to bring the endocrine system back into balance. Points I may use include:
· Endocrine: Balances hormones & regulates metabolism.
· Liver & Kidney: Addresses the root cause of hormonal disharmony in Chinese Medicine.
· Ovary / Testes / Adrenal: Specific reflex zones for targeted endocrine regulation.
6. Birth Facilitation
Ear seeds can be used to facilitate birth or help ease the experience of birth.
Whether you are a world-class tennis champion or someone trying to navigate a hectic lifestyle, ear seeds are a beautifully simple, non-invasive way to extend the benefits of acupuncture into your daily routine.
If you want to book an auricular acupuncture session to have a customized set of ear seeds placed, please let me know:
Fill in the contact sheet and we can get you booked in.
Ear tacks in Shen Men & Lung point for anxiety with breathlessness
