No, ear seeds are not for growing flowers or vegetables out of your head, though they are real seeds from the Vaccaria plant. These tiny black beads, which I now have taped on different points along both my outer ears, are used in ear acupuncture or auricular therapy.
Apparently, different ear maps exist. As in the hands, feet and head, some believe that different areas of the ear correspond with different parts of the body. These acupuncture points along the ear help regulate the body’s internal organs, structures and functions. This treatment is used for many conditions, such as pain, mood disorders, obesity and addiction.
If you’ll remember back in August, after being 11 months smoke-free, I played Russian roulette with a cigarette – and lost. In last week’s post, “What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?” I mentioned my interest in trying acupuncture. So on Saturday I saw my Naturopathic Doc and we started the Clinic’s smoking cessation protocol.
This treatment includes some homework to prepare for the day I stop smoking (a.k.a. quit date), a tincture and herbal medication, and acupuncture. Before he stuck me with 6 needles, 2 in each hand and 1 in each foot, the doc applied the ear seeds, 6 per ear. Sitting in the middle of a small square cut piece of skin-coloured adhesive tape, they are barely noticeable along my ears’ folds and grooves.
They are slightly uncomfortable, however, perhaps even a tad painful. My instructions were to gently press on them during a craving. Doing so has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural drug. Auriculotherapy seeks to restore a sense of well-being, reduce anxiety and promote detoxification.
I’ve been fiddling with my ear seeds but haven’t really noticed any affect yet. Has anyone else used ear seeds for anything? Did they work for you? Let us know in the comments below!
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From March to October, I had acupuncture treatments for stress, then pms symptoms, then stomach flu, then weight loss, then stress. We weren’t able to focus on the weight loss long enough to make changes, but the treatments, along with Chinese herbs and ear seeds completely helped/ cured with all the other ‘ailments’. She targeted my ears for anxiety, digestive stimulus, and heart palputations which all worked, although I didn’t notice the anxiety ones working at first. They did hurt sometimes, but they worked for me. Maybe they could suggest a new pressure point or different way to rub and stimulate it?? Counting down to 12/13!
Hey Rachel! Thanks for sharing your experience with ear seeds. I think I spoke too soon because on Tuesday I was feeling much more relaxed overall. And it wasn’t so painful. By Wednesday, there was no pain at all.
I’m optimistic that the treatment will work. I mean I’ve been doing my homework and so tomorrow is the big day!!
Thanks again, Rachel, and congrats on the countdown! Will you go back and try acupuncture again for weight-loss?
Great post. New to your blog, but you got great writing style. You had some very interesting points that I liked. Looking forward to more of your thoughts.
Welcome, Singing Bowl!
Thanks for your kind words and I hope you find the information here on Live Lighter useful. And I would love to hear your thoughts so please keep commenting!