What is ear seeding and it's beauty benefits?
I'm Sorry, Ear Seeds are What??
If you’ve been on Tik Tok recently, you’ve probably seen some videos on ear seed . But what are ear seeds? And what are their benefits? Well, ear seeds are based in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and they have many benefits, such as helping with addiction, depression, pain, and weight loss.
What are Ear Seeds?
Ear seeds are tiny beads that you stick on your ears for acupressure purposes. The pressure from the ear seeds helps to stimulate your brain. The ear seeds stay on for up to a week. Just like your hands or your feet have reflexology points, so do your ears. It is important to note that ear seeds cannot cure these ailments, but they can be a good addition to your medical treatment.
The History of Ear Seeding
Ear seeding is a Traditional Chinese Medicine auriculotherapy practice. Which is when you use the ears to diagnose and treat diseases by using the ear. It is a micro-system in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Today ear seeds are made from metal or ceramic, but the concept behind ear seeding is nothing new.
Ear seeding is mentioned in early Chinese medical texts from the 4th century BC. During that time, ear seeds came from the Vaccaria herb. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear is an inverted fetus, with the head in the center. The various acupressure points across the ear act as a reflexology point for the associated body part.
Benefits of Ear Seeding
It is important to note that ear seeding is not a replacement for medical treatment. You should always talk with your medical professional about how to incorporate ear seeds into your current plan. Ear seeding is a less painful form of acupuncture (Needles? No thank you!). So, it has many of the same benefits.
People have noted that ear seeding has helped them with physical and emotional ailments. Ear seeding has been shown to help with addiction, anxiety, depression, focus, relaxation, stress, weight loss, and even fertility issues. A lot of people started using ear seeds during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Many health care workers chose to use ear seeding during that time to help with the stress and exhaustion they felt.
At this time, no studies have been published on the benefits of ear seeding. There are; however, some studies that show the benefits of ear seeding.
Who Is Ear Seeding For?
You may be wondering if you are a good candidate for ear seeding. In general, ear seeding is safe for most people since it is a noninvasive therapy (Again, no needles!). You will still want to double-check with your medical professional to make sure it is safe for you. If you have metal allergies or sensitivities you will want to be careful when using ear seeds. Some people also have allergies to the adhesive used.
As soon as you start to notice any irritation remove the ear seeds and cleanse the area with rubbing alcohol. Women in the early stages of pregnancy or who have a history of miscarriages should not use ear seeds. They are also not suggested for people with a history of fainting or seizures
Now that you know how ear seeding works and some of its benefits, how do you think you would use ear seeds?