Ear seeds emerge as a fashionable wellness accessory at events and spas

Ear seeds, adhesive acupressure tools rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, have recently surfaced as a trendy wearable wellness product seen on influencers, at events such as the U.S. Open and New York Fashion Week, and offered at spas and nontraditional venues. “I’m now being invited to ear seed at corporate events, wellness pop-ups and birthday parties,” said Kristen Williams, an acupuncturist and founder of Capri Acupuncture in Denton, Texas.

Traditionally the black seeds of the Vaccaria plant have been used; newer versions are flashier, including heart-shaped and crystal-studded seeds. Their proponents claim they can help manage symptoms of anxiety, stress and addiction. The effectiveness of ear seeds is understudied: “The limited research on them is focused mostly on their use treating symptoms of addiction,” said Sandra Chiu, an acupuncturist and the founder of Lanshin in Brooklyn.

In traditional Chinese medicine, she added, “every organ, limb and body region has a corresponding zone in the ear.” Applications are now available outside of Chinese-medicine clinics: the Sisley Spa at the Dominick Hotel in New York charges $60 as an add-on to facials, Remedy Place lists them for $50 at several locations, and Kamwo Meridian Herbs sells packs of 120 traditional seeds for $20.

Key Topics

Health, Ear Seeds, Vaccaria Plant, U.s. Open, Sisley Spa, Remedy Place