11 Effective Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil for Warts

Do you have small black marks on your skin that you wish to get rid of?

Well, there’s no need to undergo an expensive skin treatment for this problem.

You can get relief sitting at home by using tea tree oil for warts.

Before we go to that, let’s get to know more about warts first.

Here are what you’ll learn reading this article:

Warts symptoms and causes
Different types of warts
What are tea tree oil and its useful properties
How tea tree oil helps you to get rid of warts
Home remedies with tea tree oil to resolve this skin problem

Symptoms and Causes of Warts

Warts refer to non-cancerous growths that appear on different parts of the body [1].

Usually brown or grayish black in color, these little bumps can either be rough or smooth to touch.

These are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV) [1].

There are over a hundred types of the HPV, and most of these simply trigger the growth of harmless warts [2].

However, there are a few that can lead to cervical cancer [2].

Since this is a viral infection, you can expect that warts are contagious.

Actually, they can be spread by direct contact with the infected skin or with an object that has been exposed to the wart.

The virus can enter into the body through broken skin, which is why those with wounds, cuts or scrapes are more prone to this condition [3].

It then causes the epidermis or the skin’s topmost layer to grow too quickly, and that’s when warts are formed [3].

It’s good to know that most warts disappear without treatment after a few months.

There some, however, that can last for years [3].

Warts come in five primary types:

Common warts – Rough and grainy round bumps, common warts usually appear on the toes and fingers.
Plantar Warts – These warts grow into the skin, usually on the soles of the feet.
Flat Warts – Flat warts are small and flat and can be anywhere from pink to brown to pale yellow.
Filiform Warts – Typically appearing on the mouth, nose, neck, and shin, these are small warts that are shaped like a flap.
Periungual Warts – These are painful warts that grow underneath the nails, hindering their proper growth [4].

Most warts do not cause any pain.

However, if a wart grows on a part of the body that’s subjected to pressure such as the sole of the foot, it can cause great pain and discomfort [4].

What Is Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil, also known as Melaleuca oil, originally comes from the leaves of the tea tree.

Tea trees are actually Australian plants known as Melaleuca Alternifolia, native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

Also Read: Tea Tree Oil for Keloids : 9 Natural Remedies

Properties of Tea Tree Oil

In Australia, tea tree oil has been used as a natural medicine for over a century ago [5].

However, it was only in the recent years that it has also become popular in other parts of the world.

It is now being used in Europe, North America and in some countries in Asia.

The primary mechanisms by which tea tree oil has become known for are as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial [5].

Most of the pharmacological effects can be attributed to the presence of terpene hydrocarbons, specifically sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes [5].

Tea tree oil’s most active components are terpinen-4-ol and 1, 8-cineole [6].

Both compounds demonstrate powerful antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties [6].

It has been established in many bodies of research that tea tree oil has broad-spectrum inhibitory effects against a wide range of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa species [6].

Experts, therefore, recommend this oil for the treatment of infections and inflammatory diseases such as chronic gingivitis, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis [6].

It has also been found efficient in speeding up the healing of wounds and reducing the risk of certain forms of cancer [6].

Nowadays, you’ll find tea tree oil as an ingredient in various cosmetic and household products such as facial creams, shampoos, massage oils, skin lotions, and many more [7].

Also Read: 12 Incredible Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (Backed by Evidence)

How Tea Tree Oil Gets Rid of Warts

One of the many ways tea tree oil promotes skin health is by getting rid of warts.

Here are the primary ways it works:

Tea tree oil has antiseptic and antiviral effects that inhibit the growth and spread of the virus causing warts.
Tea tree oil also has antibacterial properties that can prevent further infection of the skin.
Tea tree oil’s terpinene-4-ol is a potent anti-inflammatory that tones down skin swelling.
Tea tree oil can help stop the growth of warts and at the same time, make them dry so they can fall off on their own.

In a study that can be found in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, it was shown that tea tree oil successfully treated warts on a patient’s middle finger on her right hand [8].

Daily application of tea tree oil for 12 days resulted in the “complete re-epithelization” of the area infected by the human papillomavirus [8].

A study conducted by researchers from Iran echoes these findings, confirming the strong virucidal properties of tea tree oil, and how it is a suitable treatment for skin infections caused by viruses [9].

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Warts: 8 Essential Oil Remedies with Directions!

11 Ways of Using Tea Tree Oil on Warts

Consider these tea tree oil remedies for getting rid of warts on your skin.

In these remedies, tea tree oil is combined with other natural ingredients such as water, carrier oils and so on.

Some of the other ingredients only serve as a way to dilute tea tree oil as it cannot be used in its pure form, otherwise, it will cause skin irritation.

The other ingredients, meanwhile, like garlic also has potent antimicrobial effects that can help boost the effects of tea tree oil.

1. Dilute Tea Tree Oil in Water

Tea tree oil is so potent that it cannot be used directly on the skin.

It needs to be diluted with water or a carrier oil.

What You’ll Need:

1 cup of warm water
5 drops of tea tree oil

Recommended Directions:

Soak the area with warts in warm water.
Pour tea tree oil on a bandage.
Cover warts with a bandage.
Leave the bandage on for 8 to 10 hours, or overnight.
Remove the bandage and soak warts in warm water again.
Repeat procedure daily until warts fall off.

Also Read: 11 Incredible Uses of Tea Tree Oil for Hair (With Directions)

2. Combine Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has long been valued for its profound benefits for the skin.

It can also be used to naturally get rid of warts. [10]

What You’ll Need:

1 teaspoon of tea tree oil
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel

Recommended Directions:

Mix tea tree oil and aloe vera gel.
Apply the mixture to warts.
Cover the infected area with medical tape or bandage.
Let it sit for 10 hours.
Remove the tape or bandage.
Do this remedy once or twice a day for several months.

Also Read: 5 Easy Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil for Scabies

3. Mix Tea Tree Oil and Avocado Oil

Use avocado oil for its antimicrobial properties that can help resolve this viral skin infection. [11]

What You’ll Need:

5 drops of tea tree oil
1 tablespoon of avocado oil

Recommended Directions:

Put tea tree oil and avocado oil in a bowl.
Apply oil mixture to the skin.
Gently massage for 15 to 20 minutes.
Cover the application with a clean cloth.
Leave it on overnight.
The next day, rinse with water.
Use this remedy every day until warts are gone.

Also Read: 20 Essential Oils for Cough, Sore Throat and, Congestion

4. Add Crushed Garlic to Tea Tree Oil

A powerful antiviral agent, garlic can be combined with tea tree oil to suppress the viral infection. [12]

What You’ll Need:

4 drops of tea tree oil
1 teaspoon of olive oil
1 clove of garlic

Recommended Directions:

Mix tea tree oil and olive oil.
Apply oil blend to the skin.
Crush garlic clove
Put garlic clove on top of the wart.
Cover it with a bandage.
Wait the next day before removing.
Wash it off with warm water.
Do the same procedure every day for up to one month.

5. Apply Tea Tree Oil, Baking Soda, and Castor Oil

Baking soda and castor oil are also believed to be helpful in removing warts.

What You’ll Need:

1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of castor oil
4 drops of tea tree oil

Recommended Directions:

Combine all the ingredients.
Spread a thin layer on your warts.
Massage gently for 10 minutes.
Wrap a bandage around the wart.
Wash it the next day with warm water.
Apply this remedy every day for one to two months.

Also Read: How to Use Baking Soda Bath for Diaper Rash Treatment

6. Pair Tea Tree Oil with Hot Water Soak

Hot water can help soften the skin growth to get rid of warts more easily. Just make sure that it’s not too hot.

What You’ll Need:

1 basin of warm water
1 teaspoon of olive oil
5 drops of tea tree oil

Recommended Directions:

Soak warts in warm water for 10 minutes. Water should not be too hot.
Repeat this two to three times.
Combine olive oil and tea tree oil.
Apply oil combination on your warts.
Cover with a bandage.
Let it sit for 30 minutes before removing the bandage.
Once again, soak the wart in warm water two to three times.
Do this process once a day for one to two months.

7. Tea Tree Oil With Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is enriched with great pain relieving agents along with antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. [13]

A combination of oregano oil and tea tree oil can combat your warts and help you get rid of them.

What You’ll Need:

3 drops of oregano oil
1 drop of clove oil
2 drops of lemongrass oil
2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil
Few drops of sweet almond oil

Recommended Directions:

Mix all the oils well in a bowl.
Apply the combination oil on your warts using a cotton ball.
Leave it on your skin for few hours or overnight and then wash off.
Repeat daily for a couple of weeks.

8. Tea Tree Oil With Essential Oils

There are many essential oils out there that are very useful in treating warts and many other skin problems.

You can combine some of these essential oils with your tea tree oil for better results.

Some of the best essential oils that you can use in this regard are:

Lavender essential oil
Clove essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil

What You’ll Need:

Few drops of any 2 or 3 essential oils of your choice
3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil

Recommended Directions:

Mix all the oils together and apply the mixture on your warts with the help of a cotton ball.
Cover the area with a bandage.
Let the mixture sit on your skin for few hours before rinsing off.
Repeat daily.
You can store the combination oil in a dark and airtight jar for few months.

Also Read: 20 Essential Oils for Cough, Sore Throat and, Congestion

9. Tea Tree Oil And Grapefruit Seeds

This combination works great for warts especially genital warts. [14]

For the powdered seeds, you just need to collect some grapefruit seeds and grind them to get the powder.

What You’ll Need:

1 tablespoon of powdered grape seeds
5 drops of tea tree oil

Recommended Directions:

Mix tea tree oil with the powdered grape seeds and combine well to make a smooth paste.
Apply this paste to your affected area.
Leave it on your skin for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
Wash it off using lukewarm water and pat dry.
Repeat this process twice daily.

Also Read: 19 Uses of Grape Seed Oil for Skin + How to Use

10. Combination of Tea Tree Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has its contribution in successfully treating many health problems. It can come to your help in getting rid of warts. [15]

The antimicrobial properties of apple cider vinegar are what make it an amazing element for warts. It combines with the antiviral properties of the tea tree oil and double checks unwanted warts.

What You’ll Need:

One drop of tea tree oil
One drop of apple cider vinegar
Two to three drops of water
A band-aid

Recommended Directions:

Combine all the ingredients together and apply on the wart.
Cover your wart with the band-aid.
Repeat this process every five hours and use a fresh band-aid every time.

Also Read: 20 Reasons to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair + How to Use it

11. Tea Tree Oil With Coconut Oil

Tea tree oil works amazingly well on your warts when combined with coconut oil. [16]

Coconut oil is a fantastic ingredient for skin care. Its antiviral compounds amplify the abilities of tea tree oil in dodging warts.

This combination oil helps warts to dislodge from the skin and promotes healing of the skin.

What You’ll Need:

2 drops of tea tree oil
4 drops of coconut oil

Recommended Directions:

Mix tea tree oil and coconut oil and apply on warts.
Do this twice daily.

Also Read: 11 Reasons to Use Coconut Oil for Sunburn

Tips And Precautions

Dilute tea tree oil with a healthy carrier oil or other ingredients first before applying on your skin.
If the warts are too severe, avoid applying it and consult a doctor.
Do a patch test on your skin before applying it to your affected area.
Before using this oil on pregnant women and child, it is recommended to consult a doctor first.
During the application, if you feel any irritation or inflammation on the skin, wipe off immediately and avoid using further.
If you feel any burning sensation on the surrounding skin, apply some petroleum jelly on that area.
Store your tea tree oil in an airtight jar.
Keep the jar at a place which is dry and free from direct sunlight.

Some Frequently Asked Q&A About Warts

Q. Can you use tea tree oil on warts that bleed?
A. No. You should refrain yourself from using tea tree oil if your warts are bleeding or too severe. It is recommended to see a doctor first before applying any home remedies in such cases.

Q. What is the best way of applying tea tree oil on warts?
A. The best method of applying tea tree oil on warts is a cotton ball or cotton pads.

Q. Who is more prone to getting warts?
A. Although warts are common amongst individuals, some people are more prone to getting it. They are:

Children – as germs can easily get transmitted as they are in contact with so many things
Teenagers
People who usually bite their nails to often or pick at the small skin at their nails called hangnails. These can create small cuts in the skin
People with a weak immune system

Q. What are other types of warts that can infect a person?
A. There is another type of warts as well, apart from the ones mentioned above. They are:

Condyloma – condyloma is the other name for genital warts. And it is mostly caused by the HPV virus. It is usually transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Molluscum contagiosum – it is another type of warts that often look like small, hard pimples and occur in clusters on the site of infection. Usually, molluscum contagiosum occurs in the covered areas of the body like the butt, armpits and sometimes on the elbows as well. You might also be itching around the surrounding area of the site of your infection.

Q. When should I visit a doctor for genital wart infection?
A. Genital warts can be a nuisance to your daily life as well as your sex life. You really do not want it to stay for longer. That is why you should get proper treatment immediately. Plus, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible if following incidents happen:

If you find unusual skin growth or skin changes or bumps appear near your genitals
These bumps or skin growth unusually itch, sometimes bleed or pain you
Plus, if you later come to know you had intercourse with someone who was infected with HPV or genital warts.