Chinese Medicine believes that there are microcosmic areas on the body that reflect the whole. By sticking seeds to acupuncture points in the ear, treatment can be sustained throughout the week. Ear seeds come from the theory of auricular acupuncture. Chinese Medicine holds that specific areas of the body are a microcosm for the body (the macrocosm) as a whole. Specific areas include the feet, hands, face and ears. These have whole schools of thought and theory on their own, though the most common in Chinese Medicine is ear acupuncture. The points are arranged on the ear much like someone positioned in an upside-down fetal position.Chinese Medicine believes that there are microcosmic areas on the body that reflect the whole. By sticking seeds to acupuncture points in the ear, treatment can be sustained throughout the week. Ear seeds come from the theory of auricular acupuncture. Chinese Medicine holds that specific areas of the body are a microcosm for the body (the macrocosm) as a whole. Specific areas include the feet, hands, face and ears. These have whole schools of thought and theory on their own, though the most common in Chinese Medicine is ear acupuncture. The points are arranged on the ear much like someone positioned in an upside-down fetal position.
What are Ear Seeds made of?
Ear seeds are made of seeds stuck to adhesive tape. The seeds are Vaccaria seeds, in Chinese pinyin they are known as Wang Bu Liu Xin. This plant grows easily and is found throughout China and Europe. It was originally used because of its perfect size for the job and composition: it is very hard and won’t break down with prolonged exposure to body oils. The stimulation material used can also include gold pellets, other metallic pellets, and magnets.
What do Ear Seeds Treat?
Ear acupuncture and ear seeds are well known for aiding in addiction treatments and losing weight. The National Addiction and Detoxification Association and the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders even have internationally recognized protocols for these particular conditions. According to Chinese Medicine, ear acupuncture and ear seeds can be used to supplement just about any condition.
How do I use Ear Seeds?
Your practitioner will apply the ear seeds for you, usually on the side you don’t sleep on. First the area is thoroughly cleaned with alcohol to get rid of any skin oils so that the seeds stick better, then the seeds are applied at specific locations. Sometimes the ear starts to feel hot just after application, and this is quite normal.
The seeds can stay on for about a week, after that time you might notice they start to feel a little bit gummy and you should take them off. You can shower normally with the seeds, just take care not to scrub.
Regularly throughout the day, or when you are feeling symptoms/cravings, spend about 3-5 minutes pressing and kneading the seeds to stimulate the acupuncture points. It’s really that simple. If you find a particular point extremely sore, you can take the seed off, but chances are it is sore because your body needs this point. Make a choice based on what you are comfortable with.
Ear seeds are a great way to enhance the effects of any acupuncture treatment,
Caroline Prodoehl, R.Ac., R.TCMP