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Anecdotally, ear seeds are said to relieve insomnia, pain, stress, digestive issues, and more.
Kristin Corpuz
What is ear seeding?
And no, there aren’t any needles involved.
“Ear seeding stimulates points over the dermis layer while acupuncture penetrates the skin layer,” says Dan.
Lim clarifies that traditional acupuncture and ear seeding can target the same issues and energy points.
What risks are associated with ear seeding?
“Any trauma to the skin can lead to irritation and infection,” says Liu.
Liu notes that ear seeds can easily be cleaned with a gentle soap if needed.
Should you get ear seeding, acupuncture, or both?
Both Dan and Lim recommend getting both treatments to supplement each other.
Lim also uses ear seeding to follow up on acupuncture treatments.
That’s in contrast to traditional acupuncture, which absolutely must be done by a licensed practitioner.
(You are inserting needles into your skin, after all.)
How long do the effects of ear seeding last?
Ear seeds typically stay on for a few days and can last as long as a week.
After the seeds are placed, massage and press them periodically to help their effects last, suggests Lim.
