Acupressure Ear Seeds on Dragons Den
When Giselle Boxer appeared on Dragons Den earlier in 2024 I doubt she could have anticipated 6 offers in the Den and then wrapping up a deal with Stephen Bartlett. What an amazing achievement, Giselle is the founder of "Acu Seeds" - Acupressure Ear Seeds. Needle free acupuncture, ear seeds are a form of auriculotherapy, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Giselle went on a personal healing journey which included Traditional Chinese Medicine and she personally felt positive benefits of auricular acupressure which ultimately inspired her to found 'Acu Seeds'.
Ear Seeds derive their name from their tiny size and are typically made of stainless steel or gold. About the size of a small bead ear seeds are essentially small stickers which are placed on specific acupressure points in the ear providing stimulation without puncturing the skin. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, specific points on the ear correspond to different organs or body parts, rather like reflexology ( but for ears not feet! ). By stimulating these points and exerting gentle pressure on nerve impulses in the ear, it is believed that ear seeds can influence overall well-being in a similar manner to traditional acupuncture, with a non-invasive and holistic approach.
Ear seeds are applied to specific acupressure points on the ear using medical-grade adhesive tape. Tweezers and a mirror are all you need to apply them. The 'Acu Seeds' ear seeds packs include 'ear maps' to show you where to place ear seeds to assist with; restful sleep, emotional well-being, relaxation, immunity, focus, energy levels, and digestion. 'Acu Seeds' ear seeds contain nickel in the base metal of the bead and are coated in 24k gold or silver plating, they are for single-use only and can be worn up to 5 days. Available to buy as either gold or silver plated kits, with refills and subscription options also on offer. You can buy the Acu Seeds kits here .
The program's airing sparked controversy and some backlash including a letter from ME campaign groups who were concerned about "unfounded claims" which they felt had come across in the pitch regarding founder Giselle's personal health journey. The episode was withdrawn on IPlayer but later reinstated with a disclaimer, The BBC saying that the episode had now been "edited since broadcast to clarify aspects of the Acu Seeds pitch”, maintaining that the ear seeds were "never described as a cure for ME". It is essential to only take medical advice from appropriately qualified healthcare professionals and ensure that any treatment decisions are evidence-based and fully informed.
Making Den history - she became the first contestant to get an offer from all six judges!
For people insterested in the principles of acupuncture and acupressure to assist with elements of well-being, ear seeds are a side-effect-free ancient tool that may offer some aid.
Research into the potential benefits of ear seeds is ongoing : For some examples, See;
Article Link : Evaluate whether there are advantages of auricular acupuncture with seed or pellet attachments for the treatment of primary insomnia
Article Link : RCT of auricular acupressure in heart rate variability and quality of life for hypertension
Ear seeds are not a replacement for ANY medical advice / treatment, but they may offer a holistic personal tool to help promote well-being.
This article is for information purposes only and does not represent a product endorsement.
ACU SEEDS WEBSITE OWN DISCLAIMER : NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN PREGNANCY OR FOR PEOPLE WITH NICKEL OR ADHESIVE ALLERGIES. WE [ACU SEEDS] DON'T RECOMMEND THEM TO CHILDREN UNDER 8 YEARS OLD. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT USED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION.
