What Are Ear Seeds and Do They Work?

Ear seed therapy has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Learn what ear seeds are and how they may help kids.

Medically reviewed by Wendy L. Hunter, M.D.

Parents are always on the lookout for safe ways to support their kids' health. Some are turning to a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment that dates back to 221 BCE: ear seeds.

Ear seeds are tiny metal balls or natural herbal seeds that can be taped to specific areas of the outer ear. They are used as a form of auriculotherapy, in which pressure points on the ears are stimulated to help the flow of qi, or energy, through the body. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have long believed that ear seeds and other forms of auriculotherapy can help with a variety of physical and mental conditions.

Why the Ear?

In Chinese medicine, the ear is powerful; it’s considered a microsystem of the body. “We use the ear to treat just about every location of the body,” says Megan Scott, LAc, a licensed acupuncturist with the Cleveland Clinic’s center for integrative medicine. That includes the extremities, the spinal region, organs, and different brain functions.

Some research suggests this gentle, non-invasive treatment may be helpful for conditions ranging from chronic pain to anxiety, and when performed as directed, appears to be safe for children as young as newborns. Learn more about how this traditional treatment works and whether it's right for your family.

Related: A Beginner's Guide to Meditation for Kids

How Ear Seeds Work

In ancient Asia, seeds from the Vaccaria plant were placed on acupressure points on the ears to treat various issues throughout the body. These days, tiny metal beads or crystals are popular alternatives. The seeds or beads are taped at points on the outer ear that correspond to different points in the body that are registering pain or discomfort.

“Ear seeding works in the same way that acupuncture treatment works,” explains Gurun Snyder, LAc, a doctor of East Asian acupuncture who has used ear seeds on her own kids, ages 7 and 4, and children she treats in her Chicago practice. But instead of using needles, ear seeds are placed on the ear with adhesive stickers.

While some clinics perform ear seeding on its own, other practitioners use seeds to complement acupuncture. Needles act as a strong stimulus for points in the body. “An ear seed, or any type of bead placed on the body, would act as more of a low-level constant stimulus for the system,” says Scott. For example, if a child comes in to see her for acupuncture to deal with allergies or asthma, they may leave the clinic with a few beads to help respiratory function and improve resilience during a tough allergy season. 

After leaving a clinic, many acupuncturists recommend people very gently press on the ear seeds throughout the day for more stimulation. It’s important not to apply too much force so the skin isn't irritated and beads don't get dislodged. Scott recommends patients do this if they are feeling a spike in their symptoms, and need an increased level of stimulation.

People typically keep ear seeds on for a few days at a time. Some acupuncturists like Scott recommend a maximum of three days since things like bathing, sweating, and having greasy skin can wear away at the adhesive. To remove them, you can simply just pull the tape and seeds gently off your ear.

What Ear Seeds Treat

Ear seeds are used to help ease symptoms of various conditions, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, pain, and addiction. “I have patients who are trying to quit smoking, for instance,” says Scott. “Adults will come and they'll do acupuncture, and then they'll leave with these seeds because they can decrease cravings."

Scott, who treats children as young as 6, says returning patients, including kids, have seen improvements in their ability to relax, manage pain, and deal with digestive issues like upset tummies, constipation, and nausea, as well as motion sickness.

Snyder says she has seen similar results with her own children and young patients at her clinic. She also says she believes that children are empowered because they feel they are playing a part in their own health.

While ear seeds aren't commonly used in Western medicine, some pediatricians say they appear to be safe and may help some children. “There is data—albeit in small sample sizes—to suggest relief of pain and anxiety when used in children and even tiny infants in the neonatal intensive care unit," says Rashmi Jain, MD, a concierge pediatrician in Irvine, California, and founder of BabiesMD. There is also research to suggest that ear seeds may be able to help control colic, nail-biting, and obesity in kids.

But parents should keep certain important factors in mind. For one, parents should be aware that for many physical and mental health conditions, intervention beyond ear seed therapy may needed. Dr. Jain emphasizes that some children may need more help to manage their anxiety, for example, and it’s important for parents to be in tune with their child’s emotions to see if further treatment like therapy or medication is needed.

Rebecca Fisk, MD, a pediatric hospitalist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, encourages parents to view ear seeds not as a cure-all, but as a complementary practice that may help ease symptoms in a variety of circumstances. “I would caution patience and advise trying such a treatment with the understanding that it likely would require multiple treatments and visits,” says Dr. Fisk, who has used ear seeds along with acupuncture and medication to help ease her own migraines.

Related: When to Worry About Your Child's Anxiety

Are Ear Seeds Safe?

Ear seeds are considered safe. "Given its topical application and non-invasive approach, it is very reasonable to try auriculotherapy in children who are experiencing anxiety or pain," says Dr. Jain.

For some, ear seeds can cause a rash because of a sensitivity to the seed or type of metal being used. Additionally, people who are allergic to latex may develop a reaction if that type of adhesive is used to stick the seeds onto the ear.

There is also a rare risk of losing a seed in the ear canal. “Small seeds like these can get dislodged and end up in the ear canal requiring removal in a physician's office,” says Dr. Jain. Dr. Fisk adds, “I would exercise caution in those children whose parents feel their child might fidget with the ear seed due to concern for moving its position or affecting the adherence of the overlying tape, as this can increase the risk of the seed falling into the ear canal.”

Where To Get Ear Seeds

While ear seeds are sold online, experts recommend going to a licensed acupuncturist to first assess if they may be helpful. A trained expert will also know exactly where to place the seeds on the ear. “The ear is a pretty complex place," says Scott. "It's valuable to have a practitioner who is very knowledgeable about the ear's function and how acupressure points are combined to create an individualized treatment for you."

After initially being treated by a licensed acupuncturist, patients may go home with a map showing them where to apply ear seeds in the future.

Related: How to Stock Your Medicine Cabinet Like a Pediatrician

The Bottom Line

When recommended and applied by a knowledgeable practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, ear seeds may lessen symptoms of anxiety, stress, insomnia, pain, and more in children, teens, and adults. They are also safe and well-tolerated by kids.

“Sometimes I'll be going for a playdate and the other moms are like, ‘Oh, can you bring the ear seeds so we could do them on all the kids?'” says Snyder. “It's an easy, fun way for the kids to be involved in their health.”

Adds Dr. Fisk, “There are not many large medical studies published that attest to defined benefits of ear seeding. Yet traditional Chinese medicine has hundreds of years of anecdotal evidence for treating and perhaps reducing symptoms of many physical and psychological conditions." Just be sure to see a licensed acupuncturist to have them applied, and always monitor a child's symptoms to make sure they don't need more support for their issues.

Related: Signs and Symptoms of Stress in Kids

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