Giselle Boxer, 31, who pitched her ear seeds business on Dragons' Den last week, has defended her product after facing backlash from viewers and experts.
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The mother-of-one from London claimed that ear seeds, which are small beads or pellets that are attached to the ear with adhesive tape, had helped her 'cure herself from ME' - a chronic condition that causes extreme fatigue and pain.
She said she had suffered from ME for seven years and had tried various treatments, including acupuncture, before discovering ear seeds.
She told the Dragons that ear seeds work by stimulating pressure points on the ear, which are linked to different parts of the body and organs, and can help with various ailments, such as anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, and fertility.
She asked for £50,000 for a 25% stake in her business, Ear Seeds Ltd, which sells ear seeds kits online and through retailers.
However, her pitch was met with scepticism and criticism from the Dragons, who questioned the scientific evidence and the safety of her product.
They also pointed out that ear seeds are widely available and cheaper than her kits, which cost £19.99 each.
None of the Dragons made an offer and she left the Den empty-handed.
But Ms Boxer has now revealed that she was not a regular applicant to the show, but was 'headhunted' by the BBC producers, who contacted her via Instagram and encouraged her to apply.
She said she was 'flattered' by the invitation and thought it was a 'great opportunity' to showcase her business and raise awareness of ear seeds.
She said she was not prepared for the 'grilling' she received from the Dragons and the 'backlash' she faced from viewers and experts, who accused her of selling 'snake oil' and 'false hope'.
She said she was 'shocked' and 'hurt' by the negative comments and defended her product as a 'natural and holistic' alternative to conventional medicine.
She said she had received positive feedback from many customers who had benefited from ear seeds and had testimonials from doctors and therapists who supported her product.
She also said she had conducted a small-scale clinical trial with a university, which showed that ear seeds had a positive effect on stress levels and well-being.
She said she was not claiming that ear seeds could cure any disease, but that they could help with the symptoms and improve the quality of life of people who suffer from chronic conditions.
She said she was passionate about ear seeds and wanted to share her personal experience and knowledge with others.
She said she was not deterred by the Dragons' rejection and was determined to continue growing her business and spreading the word about ear seeds.
She said she hoped that her appearance on the show would inspire more people to try ear seeds and see for themselves how they could benefit from them.
She said she was grateful for the exposure and the support she had received from some viewers and fans.
She said she was proud of herself for taking part in the show and for standing up for her product and her beliefs.
She said she had learned a lot from the experience and was looking forward to the future.
