People use ear seeds to stimulate pressure points in the ear. They’re a type of auriculotherapy, which is acupressure or acupuncture focused on the ear. Some people claim they have health benefits, but the evidence is limited.

Ear seeds use the same general principles as acupuncture. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in your body.

According to TCM, this energy travels along invisible pathways known as meridians. Meridians run throughout your body, including your ears.

People place ear seeds on certain points, usually along meridian lines, to help clear up any qi blockages. In TCM, resolving these blockages may help with a variety of health conditions.

While traditional practitioners often used seeds from the Vaccaria plant, modern practitioners frequently opt for stainless steel balls due to their hypoallergenic properties and nearly invisible appearance.

Read on to learn more about ear seeds, including their potential benefits and how to use them.

Anecdotally, people claim ear seeds help with a range of health issues, including:

Some people use ear seeds on their own. Others use them between professional acupuncture or acupressure appointments.

There are few high quality studies about ear seeds and other forms of auriculotherapy.

However, the few that do exist suggest ear seeds may be beneficial for certain conditions, especially when used alongside other treatments. More research is needed to fully explore the benefits and side effects.

Low back pain

A 2023 study examined the use of ear seeds in people with persistent low back pain following spinal surgery.

Fifty-six participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group had ear seeds placed on points associated with low back pain, while the second group received a placebo.

Researchers discovered the ear seeds group experienced significantly reduced back pain, significantly improved neuropathy, and improved deep sleep after 5 weeks. They concluded that ear seeds in auricular acupressure were a safe and noninvasive treatment option for chronic pain.

However, while the findings are promising, the researchers acknowledged that further research is necessary.

Weight loss

A 2019 study investigated the efficacy of auricular acupressure in reducing obesity in adolescents.

Fifty eight participants were randomly divided into an experimental group that received auricular acupressure with ear seeds or a control group that received placebo acupressure.

Over 8 weeks, the experimental group demonstrated significant reductions in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared to the control group. The study concluded that auricular acupressure is effective in improving cholesterol levels in obese adolescents.

However, further research is needed to understand the broader applicability of these findings to other groups.

Labor pain

A 2020 study assessed the effects of ear and body acupressure on labor pain and the duration of labor.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either body acupressure, ear acupressure with ear seeds, or routine care.

The study concluded that both methods reduced labor pain compared to routine care, with ear acupressure also significantly shortening the duration of active labor.

However, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to support these findings.

Depression

A 2021 study investigated the effects of auricular acupressure on stress, anxiety, and depression among outpatient nurses.

The researchers randomly divided 54 nurses into two groups. An experimental group received real auricular acupressure with ear seeds, and the other control group received placebo acupressure.

Over 5 weeks, the experimental group showed significant reductions in depression scores and increases in serotonin levels compared to the control group. The study concluded that auricular acupressure effectively alleviates depression, but not stress and anxiety, in outpatient nurses.

However, additional, longer-term research is required to confirm the effects of ear seeds on stress.

Traditionally, ear seeds come from the flowering herb Vaccaria and are generally safe. You can also find metal or ceramic beads.

Modern practitioners usually opt for stainless steel balls due to their hypoallergenic properties and nearly invisible appearance.

They’re noninvasive and don’t require the use of needles, so there’s a much lower risk of infection or bleeding compared to auricular acupuncture techniques.

However, if you have sensitive skin or a latex allergy, metal seeds or adhesive tape might cause some irritation. For those sensitive to metal, ceramic or Vaccaria seeds are good alternatives. Additionally, hypoallergenic 24K gold ear seeds are available. If you’re allergic to adhesive tape, consider using an ear seed product with clear, latex-free, medical-grade tape.

Some people also develop small sores around the seeds. This is often due to massaging the seeds too frequently or not letting the ears rest before applying new seeds.

In addition, some people do experience side effects while using ear seeds, including brief spells of:

While these side effects aren’t very common, it’s best to avoid driving immediately after massaging your ear seeds until you know how your body reacts.

Generally, it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare professional before trying any new treatment, including ear seeds.

Pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, don’t try ear seeds or other forms of auriculotherapy before talking with a healthcare professional. Some points may induce early labor.

Ear seeds are a type of traditional Chinese medicine related to acupuncture and acupressure, which may be a cost-effective approach to complementary treatment.

This is especially the case if you’re interested in acupuncture but prefer a noninvasive approach.

However, while some research does suggest that ear seeds may help with certain conditions and ailments, such as low back pain, anxiety, and obesity, the scientific evidence supporting this is limited.