Ear seeding is a gentle, non-invasive wellbeing practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that many people are only just discovering. It’s an ancient form of acupressure that may help support a wide range of concerns, including sleep, stress, emotional balance, relaxation, focus, energy levels and digestive comfort.

Ear seeds are very small beads placed on specific points of the ear using tiny adhesive patches. Traditionally, they were made from the vaccaria plant, but modern versions often use gold- or silver-plated beads. They work in the same way, while being discreet and comfortable to wear.

This practice is a form of auriculotherapy – the stimulation of points on the ear to support physical and emotional wellbeing. It has been used for thousands of years within Traditional Chinese Medicine and was later further developed and mapped by neurologist Dr Paul Nogier.

Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Dr Nogier’s work view the ear as a microsystem of the body, meaning that different areas of the ear relate to different organs and functions. By placing gentle pressure on these points, ear seeds are thought to encourage balance and support the body’s natural processes.

You can think of it as similar to reflexology, but focused on the ear instead of the feet. The seeds provide continuous, light stimulation which may help signal the nervous system to relax, regulate and restore. Many people report feeling calmer, more focused, and better able to manage tension as a result.

Auriculotherapy has also been the subject of ongoing research over recent decades, contributing to its growing interest within modern wellbeing practices.