Have you heard about ear seeding?

This traditional therapy sounds strange but research suggests it might help ease a range of conditions, discovers Niamh Leonard-Bedwell

- Niamh Leonard-Bedwell

Sticking tiny seeds to your ears for wellbeing might sound a bit mumbo-jumbo to the uninitiated, but that’s exactly what this alternative therapy involves.

Ear seeding has gained momentum in recent years, backed by celebrity advocates including Penelope Cruz, Kate Moss and Gwyneth Paltrow.

And if the starry clientele doesn’t convince you, preliminary research indicates ear seeding might help reduce anxiety, aid sleep and minimise pain.

So how does it work? It’s a form of auriculotherapy, based on the idea that specific points on the ear relate to different parts of the body.

Similar to acupuncture and acupressure, its principles are rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, which teaches that health depends on the flow of qi (energy) in the body.

It’s said this energy travels along invisible pathways called meridians, and that by applying pressure to specific points along them we can clear any blockages of qi that might be detrimental to our health.

What’s involved?