What are earseeds (and why you need them in your life!)
Words: Sarah Tarca // @tarca
Images: Courtesy of Auricle Ear Seeds // @auricleearseeds
Auricle Ear Seed Kit, $50
If you’re already an acupuncture or acupressure convert you’ll be well versed in the magic of ear seeds, and have probably had the tiny black beads taped to your ear at the end of a treatment. And you’ve probably also been amazed at how something so tiny could have such a big impact – because they’re known to help with everything from allergies to anxiety.
This was exactly how Elle Halliwell, creator of Auricle Ear Seeds, felt after her first experience with them. “My first experience with acupressure was when my acupuncturist gave me some bracelets to help deal with my morning sickness. Later down the track she did an acupuncture session and left ear seeds in, and I absolutely fell in love with them for balancing my mood and centering me.” Being a journalist, Elle began a research spiral that led to her buying her own, and eventually the creation of Auricle.
“When I started looking into it, it was important for me to see the studies and to know that it works. I wanted to know that it had been really well researched. I really believe that there shouldn’t be a divide between alternative and westerm medicine,” she says.
The only problem was, well, they were kind of ugly to look at. So she set about finding ear seeds that were high quality and effective, but also beautiful. Enter: Auricle. Here’s what you need to know about them.
So, where do ear seeds come from?
While ear seeds have their roots in Tradtional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture Elle says, “the style of auriculotherapy acupressure Auricle is based on is European and founded by French doctor Dr Paul Nogier". Nogier was a neurologist working in the 1950s, who, inspired by Chines acupuncture and the results it saw, began to map the ear. “He went down this path because a lot of his patients had had their ears cauterised and it cured their sciatica. So he started to notice the correspondence to different parts of the body (just like the theory behind acupuncture) and began mapping the body,” says Elle. “What he found is if you look at the ear it’s what we call a homunculus – like an inverted fetus , and everything (on the ear) points to different things (on the body), so when pressure was applied to that area it alleviated the issues associated with that organ. The points to Chinese acupuncture do slightly differ in this western auricular therapy.”
Traditionally, seeds from the vaccaria flower were used for this, because of their size and healing benefits (hence the “seeds”) but other materials (like steel balls) are now being used.
How do they work?
Because ear seeds are not needles they’re more closely aligned with acupressure (not acupuncture), which means you can apply them at home by yourself. With the Auricle seeds, they are a 1mm gold (or silver) bead attached to a clear adhesive sticker. All you have to do is peel them off with a pair of tweezers and press them onto your ears at the right acupressure points for your concern (a handy guide comes with your seeds). Gently pushing the point with your finger tip stimulates it even further to increase the effects. The seeds are safe, easy to apply and even though they’re small, they really do add the pressure.
What makes Auricle Ear Seeds different?
Well, first of all, they’re like mini works of art in your ears, so no one can tell you’re actually receiving health benefits from them. The gold seeds are 24k gold-plated, nickel free and come with hypoallergenic clear tape so are super easy to apply. The high quality seeds are sourced from Japan, and took a long time to source something that was beautiful to look at, but effective. Elle’s hope was that by introducing seeds that were aesthetically beautiful, it would encourage people to embrace this modality more.
The face of the Auricle Seeds campaign is of Asian descent, which Elle says is both a “nod to the more ancient roots of acupuncture and also because my customers are Australian and thus come from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds.” Additionally, Elle is passionate about companies giving back and as such donates a portion of Auricle's monthly sales to The Nature Conservancy to protect our country's wildlife and ecosystem.
are sourced from Japan, and took a long time to source something that was beautiful to look at, but effective. Elle’s hope was that by introducing seeds that were aesthetically beautiful, it would encourage people to embrace this modality more.
The face of the Auricle Seeds campaign is of Asian descent, which Elle says is both a “nod to the more ancient roots of acupuncture and also because my customers are Australian and thus come from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds.” Additionally, Elle is passionate about companies giving back and as such donates a portion of Auricle's monthly sales to The Nature Conservancy to protect our country's wildlife and ecosystem.
Elle’s top tips for getting the most out of your ear seeds
Use them preventatively: “I suffer from allergies and I’ll often put it on an allergy point if it’s a windy day. If you’re stressed and anxious you can pop them in before an event (like a job interview etc) and I’ll often pair it with a meditation which I find is a perfect balance. “
Create a ritual: “I like to light a candle, hold a crystal in my hand, and just sit for a few moments and tune into what my body needs, and encourage my body to heal with the help of the seeds.”
Find the right point: “What I recommend people do is get the tip of the tweezer before they start and start to press gently around the area for the point for any sensitivity. When you feel that sensitive part, that’s where you should apply the seed. Sometimes you might feel a but of discomfort, but that’s a key to actually having found the right point.”
An ear seed “constellation”
Interested in learning more? You can buy Auricle Ear Seeds here, or follow the brand on Instagram. Read more about Elle in our Wayward Folk profile below.
