7:15 a.m.: I wake up naturally (odd) with a little headache.
7:30 a.m.: I peel 2 ear seed stickers off of a strip of 20 and place one on the inside of each ear on a “headache” spot according to an ear map I find online.
7:33 a.m.: I start my getting-ready-in-the-mirror playlist and keep it moving.
7:45 a.m.: I already notice I’m not noticing my headache.
The first time I tried ear seeding, the tiny black spheres were taped into my ears at the end of an acupuncture session. At the time, I was unable to tie my blissed-out mood to their specific potential. Soon enough, though, I started doing it at home and haven’t stopped talking about it since. At a backyard gathering in the West Village, I passed a kit around to confused partygoers. And I’ve carried a pack of Swarovski-and-gold seeds (very chic!) from New York to Paris during fashion month more times than I can count.
“Acupressure has been used for thousands of years in many cultures,” says Gudrun Snyder, LAc, a doctor of acupuncture at Moon Rabbit Acupuncture, who found ear seeding so essential for her patients that she created at-home kits. “It is a great way to relieve aches and pains.” Snyder explains that in traditional Chinese medicine, ear seeding follows the same principles of acupuncture, which works on energy (or qi) channels.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear is considered a map, or microcosm, of the entire body. The thin skin of the ear makes it easy to activate nerves. “On our skin, there are specific acupuncture or acupressure points that can be stimulated in order to regulate how our energy flows. When energy is stuck, pain, illness, or emotional upset can result,” says Snyder. “Acupressure can help to unblock the flow of this energy.” She adds that it’s a safe method for nearly all ages, from young children to older adults, to deal with issues that may typically be handled with a pill. “Headaches are something we see often, and they’re one of the clearest reflections of how the body holds stress, tension, and internal imbalance.” she says. “In Traditional Chinese Medicine, headaches are understood through patterns—commonly involving Liver Yang rising, Qi stagnation, external Wind, or the accumulation of Heat or Dampness. Headaches aren’t just symptoms—they’re signals. The location, intensity, and timing all point to a different internal pattern.” She considers ear seeding a practice that helps guide the body into balance over time.
“Ear seeding can absolutely help headaches, but it does depend on the root cause,” says Jill Jancic, L.Ac., a licensed acupuncturist at Golden Door, one of Vogue Spa Guide’s 100 best in the world, who wears them herself. “While Vaccaria seeds are traditionally used, I personally love crystal ear seeds as they have great pressure points,” she says of their mix of fashion and function. “There are various auricular points such as shen men, which addresses general stress, and points that connect to areas of the body like the brain and neck. It’s helpful to know the cause of the headaches for the most effective point selection.” Jancic recommends getting a chart kit from earseeds.com for help with point location. On a clean, dry ear, apply to the preferred point and pause. “It’s best to take a mindful moment for yourself. Whether it’s lying or sitting down for 5 minutes, allow yourself that time to connect with your intention, and tune into the feeling or goal that you’re going for,” says Jancic. “When you press the ear seeds with the intention of reducing stress and tension, it can help to settle the system, which can also help headaches.”