Tiny pressure points in your ears might sound intense, but auriculotherapy – or ear seeding – is gaining momentum as a powerful, natural tool for everything from anxiety and brain fog to back pain and migraines. There is some evidence to suggest it is effective for chronic pain and insomnia, too. What’s more, the trend has already amassed over 140M views on TikTok.
So, with my interest piqued, I decide to put it to the test at home. Here’s what happened.
I tried ear seeding at home – here’s why it surprised me
I’ve always been a big believer in complementary therapies, especially acupuncture. Over the years, I’ve turned to it for various health concerns, from stress to fertility, and I’m convinced it helped me conceive after multiple losses. So, when I heard about ear seeding, I was more than happy to give it a try.
I used AcuPips, founded by Zoë Young, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Acupuncturist with years of clinical experience. Her kits are acupuncturist-designed, needle-free, and tailored to support everyday health and wellbeing from the comfort of your own home.
I chose the Ear Seeding Kit for Women 40+. This includes 12 ear maps targeting over 20 health concerns – everything from hormonal balance and stress to digestion and sleep. Each map offers precise points on the ear to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing in midlife. And if your particular symptom isn’t listed? You can simply email Zoë and she’ll create a bespoke map for you.
Usually, you apply the same map to both ears for best results. In the name of research (and time), I experimented with two: one ear was mapped for back pain and aches, the other for brain fog and focus.
How do ear seeds actually work?
Ear seeding is a form of auriculotherapy. This is an ancient acupressure technique based on the belief that the ear is a microsystem of the entire body. Just as reflexologists use the feet to support organ health, acupuncturists use the ears.
Ear seeds, also known as acuseeds, are small, often plant-based seeds (traditionally Vaccaria) or crystal-like beads that sit on specific points of the outer ear. These stimulate the nerves and promote balance across various systems in the body – without any needles involved. Perfect for the needle-phobes out there.
They’re often used by TCM practitioners to extend the effects of an acupuncture session, but they’re also a fantastic standalone self-care tool. They also take the practice a step further by offering seeds that double as beautiful, healing jewellery.
Zoë’s approach blends traditional healing with modern, accessible design, making ancient practices feel entirely at home in today’s wellness routines.
What happened when I tried ear seeds
After selecting my maps, I was surprised by how easy the seeds were to apply. I’d expected the process to be fiddly, but I managed to get most of them into the right positions without much trouble. As Zoë reassuringly explains, this isn’t an exercise in perfection – “close enough” really is good enough.
All you need are two clean ears (removing natural skin oils helps with adhesion), and the tweezers included in the pack – using your fingers can affect the stickiness of the seeds.
Each ear map includes the Shenmen point, an acupressure spot believed to relieve stress, anxiety, and tension. The maps I chose also targeted the spine, neck, and buttocks, as well as the memory and hippocampus – a helpful focus during a particularly hectic week.
Over the next few days, I genuinely noticed a shift. My back tension completely eased, and I felt sharper and more focused mentally – my mind was buzzing with ideas. I was even sleeping better, which felt like a minor miracle given the combination of a heatwave and a toddler.
Zoë recommends gently massaging the seeds daily to stimulate the pressure points and taking a 24-hour break after five days of wear. By day two, I noticed my left ear wasn’t quite as comfortable as the right – not painful, but a little off. I asked my husband to help reposition a few of the seeds, as I hadn’t aligned the map perfectly. That small tweak made a big difference.
I also loved how the seeds looked – subtle, stylish, almost like jewellery, and perfectly in keeping with my usual look. But what truly surprised me was how quickly my symptoms began to ease.
A helpful wellbeing addition
Of course, it’s not a miracle fix. But, it is a powerful reminder that gentle, natural interventions can make a real difference to how we feel – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
If you’re trying this at home, I’d recommend having someone else apply the seeds the first time to help with accuracy – even the steadiest hand can struggle to hit the right spots using a mirror. Better still, try ear seeding with a fully qualified acupuncturist, who can guide you through the practice.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of acupuncture or completely new to Traditional Chinese Medicine, ear seeding is a soothing, accessible ritual worth exploring. Perfect if you’re looking to add another string to your wellbeing bow.
