From TikTok to Kate Moss, everyone’s talking about ear seeding — a non-invasive therapy said to reduce cortisol, balance hormones and boost your glow. But does it actually deliver? We put it to the test.
If you’re on the wellness side of TikTok, you’ve likely come across someone showing off a close-up of their ears, adorned with tiny gold studs or crystal dots — and claiming to feel instantly calmer or more energised. It’s not a new piercing trend but an ancient therapy making a modern comeback: ear seeding.
Once reserved for acupuncture clinics, ear seeding is now popping up in beauty salons, wellness studios and home kits alike, with devotees swearing by its ability to reduce stress, aid sleep and even sculpt the face by easing tension and balancing hormones.
But what exactly is ear seeding and does it really live up to the hype? L360 consulted the experts.
Read more: TikTok claims matcha can help with PCOS — experts respond to latest health trend
What is ear seeding?
“Ear seeding is a non-invasive form of auricular stimulation — basically acupressure for the ear,” explains Anna Venables, owner of Microsystems Therapies and Training. “Tiny seeds, magnets or gemstones are placed on specific acupoints on the ear that, when stimulated, influence the nervous system, brain function and mood through neuromodulation.”
The therapy has deep roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but modern neuroscience has begun to validate some of its effects. “The ear is like a microsystem of the body and brain, it represents the whole,” says Anna. “By stimulating certain points, we can hack into the nervous system, especially the vagus nerve, which helps calm the body’s stress response.”
What are the seeds made of?
Traditionally, practitioners used the seeds of the herb Vaccaria, a natural, plant-based option that gently stimulates acupoints. But newer versions include metal pellets (often stainless steel or gold-plated) or even gemstone studs like pearls, crystals or rainbow gems — a trend boosted by TikTokker Sarah Palmyra’s viral video, which has racked up over 20 million views.
@sarahpalmyra If you had any doubt that ear seeding works, watch this video right now! My friend @AVA showed me how to use her @byAVA ear seeding kit and I was amazed. It works by stimulating pressure points in your ear that help release different areas in your body to correct posture and depuff the face. It’s painful but the results are worth it and I felt so much release in my neck after! #earseeds #koreanbeautysecret #depuffwithme #lymphaticdrainage
“Some people prefer them for their aesthetic appeal,” says Star Freudenberg, founder of Star Freud Wellness Clinic, whose clients include everyone from stressed-out professionals to celebrities. “They look like healing jewellery, but they also help balance the body and support natural healing. It’s like reflexology for your ears.”
Ear seeding vs ear acupuncture
Both techniques target the same map of acupoints, but the delivery is different.
“Ear acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate points for around 40 to 60 minutes, and the effects can be fast-acting,” Anna explains. “Ear seeding, on the other hand, applies gentle pressure that continues for several days. It’s needle-free, discreet and ideal for people who want a gentler, ongoing approach.”
Star adds: “They’re like cousins in the same family. I often combine the two — starting with needles, then replacing them with seeds to extend the benefits at home.”
What are the benefits of ear seeding?
Ear seeding is said to support a surprisingly wide range of health concerns, from anxiety, poor sleep and sugar cravings to hormonal imbalance and digestion issues.
“Stimulating points connected to the vagus nerve helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system — the part that tells your body to relax,” Star says. “This can lower heart rate, reduce cortisol and support overall healing.”
Anna agrees, noting that ear seeding’s impact goes far beyond relaxation. “We see improvements in mood, pain tolerance and hormonal balance,” she says. “I use it in clinical practice to help with stress-related conditions, addictions, weight management and even trauma responses. It’s non-verbal, non-invasive and accessible — a way for people to feel in control of their own health.”
Can ear seeding really help with ‘cortisol face’?
If you’ve noticed puffiness, tension or hormonal breakouts after a stressful week, you’re not imagining it. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, the hormone responsible for inflammation and fluid retention — something practitioners now call “cortisol face.”
“By stimulating the vagus nerve and adrenal points, ear seeding can help reduce cortisol and restore balance,” says Anna. “It supports lymphatic flow and reduces inflammation, which can brighten the skin and ease puffiness.”
Star agrees: “Lowering cortisol levels has a visible effect. Clients often say their faces look less tense and more lifted after a session.”
Sarah Palmyra’s video shows a clear depuffing of her face just 30 minutes after the seeds had been applied.
Read more: How to get rid of ‘cortisol face’ — and no, you don’t need to buy fancy supplements
How to try ear seeding at home
With the right guidance (and hygiene), at-home ear seeding is simple. Both experts recommend cleaning your ears and hands first, then using tweezers to place the seeds on specific points.
“You can follow an ear chart — the ear represents an upside-down baby, with the lobe as the head and the inner folds mapping to the spine and organs,” says Anna. “Precision matters, but you can get good results with guidance from a qualified practitioner.”
Star adds: “Press the seeds gently a few times a day to activate them. It’s an intuitive, meditative ritual that turns self-care into something tactile and grounding.”
L360 recommends the kit from Thrive Acupuncture Clinic, which includes 40 ear seeds, as well as ear maps so you know exactly where to place them for your health goals.
View this post on Instagram
We tried ear seeding ourselves — this is how it went
Full disclosure: when I attempted ear seeding, I went too bold. My decorative studs looked great — until they fell off mid-hair wash. Lesson learned: the smaller the better.
Luckily, L360’s Priya Raj had more success with her subtle golden studs, which she used to address sleep troubles.
“Once the ear seeds were applied, I totally forgot I was wearing them,” she says. “They stayed put for about five days, and honestly, I slept like a baby. Usually, I wake up a few times a night, but I slept straight through.”
The aesthetic element was a bonus, too. “They were pretty stylish — people thought I’d gotten a bunch of new piercings! I’d definitely try them again.”
While more research is needed, the growing body of neuroscience behind auriculotherapy make ear seeding a fascinating bridge between ancient wisdom and modern wellness.
Whether you’re hoping to calm your nervous system, sleep better, or just try something pretty and low risk, a few well-placed seeds might be worth a go.
As Star puts it: “Your body is the healer. Ear seeding simply gives it a gentle nudge to do what it already knows how to do.”
Feature image: Pexels
