15 Safe Home Remedies for Wart Removal That'll Works

Are there certain lesions or crusts forming on your skin?

If they are then you probably have warts!

You may agree that these unsightly skin growths are becoming quite annoying and embarrassing. Plus, if they have occurred in your private parts then it can be more painful as well.

In this article you’ll learn 15 easy home remedies for wart removal.

Warts are usually caused by an infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV) [1].

This virus causes the hard protein on the skin’s top layer to grow too quickly [2].

As there are over 60 types of HPV, there are also different kinds of warts growing on different areas of the body [1].

Warts can appear on the fingers, hands, face, feet, and the genital areas [1]. Accordingly there are common warts, planter warts, flat warts, periungual warts, filiform warts, etc.

While it’s good to know that these skin growths are not cancerous. But still, you would probably want to get rid of them.

The good news is, you can do this without having to rely on surgical procedures that are expensive and risky.

In this article, you’ll get to learn the following:

Safe home remedies for wart removal that do not cause any serious side effects as long as proper procedure for use and preparation is followed
Scientifically proven interventions that have been tested by researchers
Natural methods that require the use of only a few and simple ingredients

15 Natural Ways for Wart Removal

1. Garlic

Garlic is one of the most highly valued medicinal herbs in the world.

It has been this way since the ancient times.

Hippocrates, who is considered by many as the founder of medicine, used garlic is treating a wide range of ailments [3].

Today, it is still used as a remedy for cancer, heart disease, skin disorders, stress, bacterial infections, diabetes, and many others [3].

For minor skin problems like warts, here’s how garlic can help:

It can fight the virus causing the infection.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, garlic is a viable method for wart removal [4].

In this experiment, 28 patients with corns and warts were asked to apply either garlic extract or methanol solution on their warts twice a day for 20 days [4].

The most significant rate of improvement was observed in the group that used garlic oil extract [4].

You can buy garlic oil from here.

What You’ll Need:

5 drops of garlic oil
1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

Mix garlic oil and olive oil in a bowl.
Apply oil blend on warts.
Cover warts with a bandage.
Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse area with warm water.
Do this treatment twice a day for one week.

2. Milkweed

A plant that can be commonly found in North America, milkweed is considered a good solution for warts.

The sap is believed to contain an enzyme that can dissolve abnormal skin growths.

A clinical trial featured in the Indian Journal of Dermatology reports positive findings regarding this matter [5].

However, it’s important to know that milkweed contains mild toxins such as cardiac glycoside, utmost caution is necessary in using this remedy.

Keep milkweed out of reach of children and pets.

This plant is not to be ingested internally.

You can buy milkweed oil from here.

What You’ll Need:

3 drops of milkweed sap

Recommended Directions:

Using a pumice stone, gently rub the top layer of the wart.
Apply sap on the wart.
Cover it and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off.
If irritation occurs, stop using this remedy immediately.

3. Fish Oil

In the last decade, there was a surge in popularity of fish oil as a health supplement.

Here’s why:

Fish oil, which is obtained from the tissues of fatty fish, is packed with beneficial omega 3 fatty acids.

These fatty acids have been proven in scientific research to improve health in various ways—aiding weight loss, boosting mental performance, increasing energy, and improving fertility among others.

This oil also contains vitamin A, which according to a 2012 study, was effective in the treatment of warts [6].

The subject of the study was a 30-year-old female with warts on her right hand [6].

Treatment with salicylic acid, apple cider vinegar, and an over-the-counter wart medication did not yield positive results [6].

Topical application of vitamin A from fish oil, however, resulted in complete eradication of warts within 70 days [6].

What You’ll Need:

1 fish oil capsule

Recommended Directions:

Slice fish oil capsule into two.
Squeeze to release the oil.
Apply oil on warts.
Cover for one hour before rinsing.
Repeat remedy daily for 70 days.

4. Hot Compress

Hot therapy is a quick and efficient way to relieve pain and inflammation. it is one of the simplest remedies for wart removal.

This has been proven not only by thousands of people who have tried this remedy but also in scientific literature.

Warts can also be treated with the use of this method.

The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine published a study showing how water treatment can be used to get rid of warts [7].

The researcher explained that viruses belong to a group of organisms that are inactivated by heat [7].

External application of heat can slow down the formation of viruses on the skin [7].

What You’ll Need:

1 bowl of hot water

Recommended Directions:

Soak a clean towel in hot water.
Let it cool a little so it won’t scald your skin.
Apply warm towel on warts.
Repeat several times a day until warts fall off.

5. Duct Tape

WebMD describes the duct tape occlusion therapy as “an inexpensive method of wart removal”.

In this method, duct tape is used to cover and remove warts.

Some people find it hard to believe that this remedy actually works, but its efficacy has already been confirmed in an American study conducted in 2002 [8].

In this study, 61 patients with warts were randomized to be treated with either cryotherapy or duct tape occlusion [8].

The first method involved the application of liquid nitrogen on warts for 10 seconds every two to three weeks for a maximum of six sessions [8].

The second method, meanwhile, required a direct application of duct tape on warts for two months [8].

The healing rate of duct tape was higher at 85 percent compared to that of cryotherapy at 60 percent [8].

It was concluded that the duct tape method was more effective than liquid nitrogen in treating common warts [8].

What You’ll Need:

Small pieces of duct tapes about the size of the warts

Recommended Directions:

Put duct tape on top of the wart.
Leave it on for six days.
Remove the tape.
Put a wet towel on top of the area.
Gently rub the wart with a pumice stone.
Apply another duct tape.
Leave it on for 24 hours.
Repeat the last step until the wart falls off.
Do this only for a maximum of two months.

6. Sandalwood Oil

Much loved for its woodsy sweet fragrance, sandalwood is often used in perfumes, incense and skincare products.

It also plays various roles in traditional medicine—as an antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, disinfectant, carminative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and memory booster, among others.

It can also help treat warts with its antiviral properties [9].

It has been found to be effective in alleviating genital warts caused by HPV [9].

Alpha-santalol and beta-santalol are the major compounds in sandalwood, which are responsible for its strong virucidal effects [10].

What You’ll Need:

5 drops of sandalwood oil
1 teaspoon of jojoba oil

Recommended Directions:

Combine jojoba oil and sandalwood oil.
Apply a few drops of the mixture on warts.
Cover with bandage.
Let it sit for one hour.
Repeat remedy twice a day for up to two weeks.

7. Tea Tree Oil

In Australia, tea tree is also referred to as paperbark tree [11].

The oil derived from this tree is used all over the world for its countless therapeutic purposes [11].

Many traditional healers rely on tea tree oil for conditions involving inflammation and bacterial infections [11].

Warts are among the many infections that can be treated with tea tree oil.

In a study performed in Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, tea tree oil successfully treated warts on the finger of a pediatric patient [12].

Daily application of tea tree oil for 12days not only eradicated warts but also promoted quicker healing of the lesions [12].

As with other essential oils, it’s very important to dilute tea tree oil first in a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation.

What You’ll Need:

5 drops of tea tree oil
1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

Add tea tree oil to olive oil.
Mix well.
Use a cotton ball to apply oil mixture to the affected areas.
Cover with a bandage for one hour.
Re-apply tea tree oil mixture two more times.
Do this every day for 12 to 14 days to get rid of warts on fingers.

8. Silver Nitrate

Wikipedia defines silver nitrate as an “inorganic compound with chemical formula AgNO”.

It is typically fused and shaped into a stick to serve as a “cauterizing agent”.

Daily application of this compound has been found effective in destroying cutaneous warts.

However, there have been some reports of scarring.

In 1994, researchers from Turkey used silver nitrate sticks or a placebo on 70 patients with warts [13].

Of those who used silver nitrate sticks, complete healing was observed in 43 percent of the participants while 26 percent responded partially to the treatment [13].

It’s very important to note that silver nitrate can irritate the skin and eyes, and can even cause burning.

It should, therefore, be used according to specified directions.

What You’ll Need:

1 silver nitrate stick

Recommended Directions:

Apply silver nitrate on warts for a few minutes.
Repeat once a day for one week to get rid of a wart fast.

9. Green Tea

Green tea is now one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, as people love not only its mild but refreshing taste but also its multitude health benefits.

One of the purported benefits of green tea is aiding in weight loss.

Green tea is said to boost the metabolism as well as keep you full for a longer period.

This beverage can also be used for getting rid of warts safely and naturally.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the powerful antioxidants in green tea can help power up the immune system to put up a good fight against the viral infection causing the appearance of warts on the skin.

An added bonus:

This remedy is also highly effective for anal and genital warts.

What You’ll Need:

1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
1 cup of water
1 green tea bag

Recommended Directions:

Boil water in a pot.
Add green tea leaves.
Simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Steep for five minutes more.
Drink the tea twice a day for one to two weeks.
You may also apply green tea bag on the warts several times.

10. Zinc

Zinc is considered an “immunomodulator” that are often used for treating various types of skin issues [14]. It is one of the most potent ways of removing wart.

In a clinical trial involving 80 patients with viral warts, 40 patients were treated with oral zinc sulfate while the other 40 were given a placebo [14].

Among those who used zinc sulfate, more than 60 percent reported of complete recovery from warts [14].

In another study that was conducted by scientists from Lebanon, 44 patients with warts were treated with either topical zinc oxide ointment or salicylic acid and lactic acid twice a day for three months [15].

Of those who completed the study, 50 percent of the zinc oxide group were observed to have been treated completely [15].

No side effects were observed in both studies.

Zinc is an effective and painless way to get rid of warts for good.

What You’ll Need:

10 mg/kg of zinc sulfate
distilled water
20 percent zinc oxide ointment

Recommended Directions:

Mix zinc sulfate with distilled water.
Apply the mixture on the warts thrice daily for three months.
Alternatively, apply zinc oxide ointment on the warts twice daily for three months.

11. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon is the best natural source of vitamin C. Vitamin C has an acidic quality to help remove the wart. Lemon essential oil originates from the oil glands of lemon peels.

Apart from Vitamin C, the essential oil contains antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal properties. People use the citrus flavored lemon oil as a purifying, and deodorizing agent. [16]

Some of the therapeutic benefits of lemon oil are boosting the immune system, preventing digestive disorders, and respiratory illnesses. When it comes to skin disorders such as warts, lemon essential oil is an ideal candidate to battle the infection and reconstruct your skin from the inside. [16]

What You’ll Need:

3-4 drops of lemon oil
1 tablespoon of coconut or almond oil
Cotton ball

Recommended Directions:

Dilute lemon oil with coconut or almond oil.
Soak a cotton all in the oil solution.
Apply the soaked cotton ball on the warts and massage gently.
Repeat the treatment thrice daily to get rid of warts naturally.

12. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil originates from the leaves and stems of the eucalyptus tree through steam distillation. This strong aromatic oil has two major chemical compounds responsible for all its medicinal values.

These therapeutic properties are eucalyptol and alpha-terpineol. These chemical components are full of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti fungal, astringent, antiseptic, and analgesic properties. [17]

Eucalyptus oil is one of the most important agent in skin care, cosmetics, and oral hygiene products.

This potent essential oil has a cleansing effect on your inflamed skin. The oil can flush out toxins and bacteria to heal your warts in the quickest possible time. [17]

What You’ll Need:

2 drops of eucalyptus oil
2 drops of tea tree oil
1 tablespoon of coconut or jojoba oil
Cotton ball
Medical tape

Recommended Directions:

Add both the essential oils to the carrier oil.
Now soak a cotton ball in the oil blend and apply it to the warts.
You can fix the cotton ball on the affected skin using a medical tape.
Thus, the warts will get a longer exposure to the power oil blend.
Repeat the process twice daily for a speedy recovery from warts on hands.

13. Baking Soda

Baking soda is the one thing that you always have at your kitchen. This inexpensive ingredient has a versatile use at home hygiene and for medicinal purposes. Baking soda is actually sodium bicarbonate.

That’s why baking soda a popular rising agent for baking cakes. Apart from its practical uses baking soda has numerous therapeutic values. Baking soda is a potent home remedy for digestive disorders, sore throats, injuries, coughs, etc. [18]

The strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in baking soda can easily fight off human papillomavirus (HPV) and cure warts. [18]

What You’ll Need:

2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 tablespoon of castor oil
Medical bandage

Recommended Directions:

Mix baking soda with castor oil to form a thick paste.
Apply the paste on the warts and cover the place with a bandage.
You can repeat the process every night before you go to sleep.
Alternatively, dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda in clean water.
Then, rinse your warts affected skin area with the solution.
Let your skin air dry.
Repeat the process twice daily to get rid of warts easily.

14. Aspirin

The traditional pain killing pills or tablets are a great home remedy for warts. In this case you need not to swallow the pill, rather topically apply it. The active compound Salicylic acid in aspirin medications has inhibitory effects on the growth of skin inflammations such as warts, dermatitis, keloid scars, and etc. experts in the field advice to use 2-5% of aspirin pills for topical applications to relieve warts. Aspirin is an effective home remedy for planter warts that grow on your feet.

What You’ll Need:

1 aspirin tablet
1 teaspoon of water
Bandage

Recommended Directions:

Crush the aspirin tablet to form a fine powder.
Mix a little water to make a paste.
Now apply the aspirin paste on the warts and cover it with a bandage.
Leave it overnight.
Repeat the treatment for a couple of days to get rid of warts.

15. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of warts. the succulent plant is famous for curing numerous skin and hair disorders. Aloe Vera is very soothing for the skin and can relieve the itch, discomfort and inflammations of the warts in no time.

Aloe Vera gel is rich in malic acid, which can block the growth of inflammatory enzymes causing warts. Moreover, the gel contains various vitamins and minerals to boost your over all skin health. Aloe vera gel is one of the safest home remedies for genital warts.

What You’ll Need:

1 aloe vera leaf
Medical gauze

Recommended Directions:

Slice open the Aloe leaf and obtain the fresh gel.
Now, apply the gel on the wart affected skin area.
Cover the skin area with a medical gauze.
Leave the gel on the skin until it dries on naturally.
Repeat the simple treatment thrice daily to get rid of genital warts.

Some Q&A About Wart Removal

Q. Are warts contagious?
A. Yes, they are contagious. It is because warts can be easily transmitted both through direct and indirect contact. You can actually pinpoint the cause of warts. It is because there are some pervasive viruses that can cause warts. Plus, it can take between two to even six months before you see any symptoms of warts to occur.

Q. Is it always necessary to seek medical treatment for wart removal?
A. The answer is both Yes and No. Some doctors suggest that the best treatment for wart removal is to leave it as it is. It is because the human body develops an immune response towards warts that can make them go away by themselves. But then again, if you have other health complications like diabetes and want immediate effective treatment, then it is best to go and seek medical help.

Q. How do I know if I am suitable for wart removal treatment or not?
A. There are certain underlying health conditions that does not allow for medical wart removal treatment. Such conditions include:

Hepatitis B. It is highly infectious and destroying the virus is not easy.
Blood disorders like hemophilia.
Certain heart conditions, especially when taking blood thinners such as warfarin.
A very high blood pressure. If the high blood pressure is regulated by controlling and lowering it then you can seek treatment.
Certain skin diseases and allergies. These includes fungal infections, broken skin, active eczema or psoriasis.
A very sensitive skin.
If you are undergoing a treatment using anticoagulant drugs.
Other health complications that reduce skin healing time.

All of these conditions, thus, present that using a home remedy for wart removal as the best for you!

Bottom Line

Warts are not serious skin infections.

However, they can become serious over time if the condition does not go away.

Usually unsightly, it is best that you may want to resolve this skin issue using these home remedies for wart removal. These natural remedies are both safe and effective.

We really hope this article came to your help; if you have any questions or confusions regarding it feel free to ask us.

Also, don’t forget to share your experience with us by leaving your comments below.