You just got a few small stickers placed on your ear—and now you’re wondering what they do, how they work, or what you just signed up for. Totally fair.

Or maybe you Googled “what are ear seeds?” after a friend mentioned them or you saw them on social media.
Either way, you’re in the right place.

*Pictured: the classic ear seed protocol for anxiety and stress relief.*

Welcome to the world of ear seeds: a gentle, non-invasive tool from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can help your body shift into a more relaxed, balanced state. And for many people, it’s the first step into the world of Traditional Chinese medicine.

Welcome to the world of ear seeds: a gentle, non-invasive tool from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can help your body shift into a more relaxed, balanced state. And for many people, it’s the first step into the world of Traditional Chinese medicine.

What are ear seeds?

Close-up of adhesive ear seeds for auriculotherapy and acupressure, used in holistic wellness practices — *A look at classic vaccaria ear seeds — these are the traditional kind, but there are also crystal, gold, and pearl styles available.*

Ear seeds are small seeds (traditionally from the Vaccaria plant) or stainless steel beads that sit on a tiny adhesive sticker. They’re placed on specific points of your ear that correspond to different parts of your body. Think of the ear as a miniature map of your entire system — brain, spine, organs, hormones, digestion, and more.

The practice of placing ear seeds is called auriculotherapy, or ear acupressure. It’s been used for centuries to help with a range of symptoms, including:

Stress and anxiety
Chronic pain or tension
Headaches
Digestive issues
Hormonal imbalances
Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Cravings and appetite regulation

By stimulating certain ear points, ear seeds gently send signals to the brain and nervous system to help regulate your body — without drugs, needles, or downtime.

How do ear seeds work?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body is viewed as an interconnected system. When something feels off — like poor sleep, chronic pain, or digestive issues — it's often a sign your body is communicating an imbalance.

That’s where ear seeds come in.

The ear is considered a microsystem of the entire body in Chinese medicine. There are over 200 ear acupuncture points, each connected to specific organs, emotions, or body functions. Ear seeds — small pellets made of gold, crystal, or plant-based materials — are placed on these points to stimulate healing through gentle acupressure. This practice, known as auriculotherapy or ear acupressure, is a safe and non-invasive way to support balance in the body.

Diagram showing the inverted fetus representation in auriculotherapy, used to locate acupuncture points on the ear corresponding to the entire human body. — *Auricular acupuncture or acupressure is a self-contained microsystem — every part of the ear maps to a different area of the body or internal organ.*

Over 200 ear acupuncture points in the ears — *Over 200 ear acupuncture points are shown on this chart*

What should you do while wearing them?

Press the seeds or pellet gently a few times a day (2–3x is plenty) to activate the point.

Leave them on for 3–5 days, or until they naturally fall off.
Stay hydrated and tune into how you feel — more relaxed, more regular, less pain… take note.

If any area starts to feel sore or irritated, peel them off.

Are ear seeds safe?

Yes — ear seeds are safe, gentle, and non-invasive. They’re great for adults, kids, and even during pregnancy (with a few precautions). I also love using them for patients who are traveling or can’t make it in for a few weeks — it helps the treatment keep working in the background. They’re especially helpful for people who are curious about acupuncture but aren’t quite ready for needles.

That said, proper placement matters. You’ll get the best results when ear seeds are used as part of a thoughtful, personalized approach or follow a protocol.

Close-up image of a woman's ear with three auriculotherapy ear seeds applied to acupuncture points using small adhesive patches. The treatment is commonly used for pain relief, anxiety, and overall wellness. — *Targeted ear seed protocol to help this patient support weight loss and improve metabolic function*

Why does Chinese medicine use the ear?

In both Chinese medicine and modern neuroscience, the ear is deeply connected to the brain. The vagus nerve (a major regulator of stress, digestion, and inflammation) runs through parts of the ear, which is why auriculotherapy can have such profound effects on calming the nervous system.

This is one reason ear seeds are used in pain clinics, addiction recovery, and trauma-informed care — and why they’ve become one of my favorite tools to introduce people to Chinese medicine.

How long should you wear ear seeds?

Ear seeds typically stay on for 3–5 days. They may fall off naturally during that time. After removing them, be sure to clean your ears again.

Important reminders:

Do not use ear seeds if you have a known allergy to adhesives or metals.
If you experience any redness, pain, or irritation, remove the seeds immediately.

Curious about what else TCM can do?

Ear seeds are just the beginning.
If this little experience sparked your curiosity — whether it’s about Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, or how TCM explains things like digestion, sleep, or stress — I’d love to show you more!

Click below for your free acupressure guide:
Top 5 Acupuncture To Relieve Pain Today

What Are Ear Seeds? An Introduction to Auriculotherapy and Chinese Medicine