The Tamesis
7:15am: I wake up naturally (strangely) with a slight headache.
7:30 AM: I peeled off 2 ear seed stickers from the 20 ear seed stickers and placed one on the inside of each ear in the “headache” area based on an ear map I found online.
7:33 AM: I start my prep playlist in front of the mirror and keep playing.
7:45 am: I’ve noticed that I don’t notice my headaches.
The first time I tried ear seeding, I had small black spheres placed against my ears at the end of an acupuncture session. At the time, I couldn’t connect my feelings of joy to their concrete potential. Soon enough, though, I started making it at home and have been talking about it ever since. At a backyard party in the West Village, I passed around a kit to confused partygoers. During Fashion Month, I carried a bag of Swarovski and Gold Seeds (so chic!) from New York to Paris more times than I can count.
“Acupressure has been used in many cultures for thousands of years,” says Gudrun Snyder, an acupuncturist at Moon Rabbit Acupuncture. She found ear seeding so important for her patients that she created an at-home kit. “It’s a great way to relieve pain.” In traditional Chinese medicine, ear seeding follows the same principles as acupuncture, working on energy (or chi) channels, Snyder explains.
In Chinese medicine, the ear is considered a map or microcosm of the entire body. The skin of the ears is very thin and nerves are easily activated. “We have specific acupuncture or acupressure points on our skin that can be stimulated to regulate the flow of our energy. When energy is stagnant, it can lead to pain, illness, or emotional upset,” says Snyder. “Acupressure can help unblock the flow of this energy.” She adds that it’s a safe way for nearly all ages, from young children to seniors, to address problems that might normally be solved with medication. “Headaches are something we see all the time, and they are one of the clearest reflections of how the body is experiencing stress, tension and internal imbalances,” she says. “In traditional Chinese medicine, headaches are understood through patterns, often involving elevated liver yang, qi stagnation, external wind, or accumulation of heat and dampness. Headaches are not just symptoms, but signals. The location, intensity, and timing of headaches all point to different internal patterns.” She believes ear broadcasting is a practice that helps guide the body to maintain balance over time.
“Auricular seedings can definitely relieve headaches, but it really depends on the underlying cause,” says Jill Jancic, a licensed acupuncturist at Golden Door, one of Vogue’s 100 Best Spas in the World, who wears ear seedings herself. “While Amaranth seeds are traditionally used, I personally like Crystal Ear seeds because they have great pressure points,” she says of their blend of style and functionality. “There are many types of auricular points, such as the Shenmen point, which relieves general stress, as well as points that connect areas of the body such as the brain and neck. Understanding the cause of your headaches can help choose the most effective points.” Jancic recommends getting a chart kit from Earseeds.com for help with point placement. On clean, dry ears, apply to desired location and pause. “It’s a good idea to set aside some mindfulness time for yourself. Whether it’s lying down or sitting down for five minutes, give yourself time to think about your intention and tune into your desired feeling or goal,” says Jancic. “When you press the ear seeds to relieve stress and tension, it can help stabilize the system, which can also help relieve headaches.”
