What Are Earseeds?
Earseeds are tiny seeds (traditionally from the Vaccaria plant) placed on specific acupressure points on the ear, held in place with a small piece of medical tape. They're based on auricular acupuncture — a system that treats the entire body through points on the ear, each of which corresponds to a different organ, body region, or function.
How They Work
The ear contains a microsystem — a map of the entire body in miniature. When you press an earseed, you're stimulating an acupressure point that influences the corresponding area of the body. Pressing the points regularly throughout the day — typically 2–3 times, for 30–60 seconds each — provides ongoing stimulation that extends the effects of your acupuncture sessions.
What Are They Used For?
Earseeds are commonly used for stress and anxiety relief (stimulating the Shen Men point on the ear — sometimes called the "anxiety point"), pain management, sleep support, appetite regulation, smoking cessation, and fertility support. Athletes use them for sports performance and recovery. Many patients find them especially valuable during stressful periods when they can't come in for a session.
How Long Do They Last?
Earseeds are worn for 3–5 days. They can get wet in the shower. When they begin to fall off (the tape loosens naturally), it's time to replace them. Janice applies earseeds at the end of many acupuncture sessions, or they can be placed in a standalone 15-minute appointment for $20 as an add-on or $45 as a standalone session.