Home Remedies and Herbs for Warts

Warts are small, viral-caused skin growths that occur in the skin’s epidermis or top layer where they are exposed to oxygen and light. Warts can break out anywhere on the body but typically are more common on the hands and feet. Warts are generally harmless, however, can be itchy, sore and a source of embarrassment if they are prominently visible. ^1,2
 
Most people will develop warts at some time in their life but they’re more common in children, young adults and the elderly. Warts tend to go away on their own although this can take months or perhaps years. Most people elect for treatment for warts such as surgical removal, freezing with liquid nitrogen or applying any number of effective warts natural treatment. ^1,2
 
There are four main types of warts:

• Common warts are usually on the hands
• Flat warts are found on the face and neck
• Genital warts occur on the external genitalia
• Plantar warts on feet and soles of feet

What Causes Warts
 
All warts are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There are over 100 types of HPV viruses but only a few are direct wart causes. Contact with an HPV virus is normal, however, when an HPV virus enters the blood system by way of an open wound, cut, sore or crack in the skin, the HPV virus can live inside the body and stay dormant for lengthy periods. ^1,2,3
 
Warts are contagious and can be spread by skin-to-skin contact. This includes touching another person’s wart, by sharing common articles of clothing or by walking in infected areas like swimming pool change areas. Skin that is wet or damaged is more susceptible to being infected by warts. ^1,2,3
 
Each person’s immune system reacts differently to the HPV virus. Not everyone who comes into contact with the HPV virus will develop warts. ²

Warts Symptoms
 
Wart symptoms are obvious. Warts start as small “seeds” that appear as small black dots which are clotted blood vessels. A wart then grows in size and can appear from anywhere like a standard mole to cauliflower-shaped lumps. ²
 
Warts symptoms also present as: 

• Small, grainy bumps
• Flesh colored or sometimes darker
• Rough to touch
• Sprinkled with tiny black pinpoints

Warts that develop on body surfaces where friction occurs such as plantar warts on feet soles can be very painful. ¹
 
Natural Remedies and Herbs for Warts
 
Warts natural treatments are best achieved with remedies that attack the HPV virus which caused the wart. Some of the most effective warts natural treatments include:

• Apple Cider Vinegar - ACV has strong antiviral benefits that soak into the wart and kills the HPV virus.
• Garlic - Garlic has natural antiviral and antiseptic qualities that are effective in treating warts including warts on feet.
• Banana Peel - Bananas contain a proteolytic enzyme that works to dissolve warts. The active antiviral ingredient is found on the whitish coating on the inside of the banana peel.
• Castor Oil - Pure, cold-pressed castor oil contains ricinoleic acid that has strong antiviral agents proven to be effective in killing the HPV virus that causes warts.
• Potato - Potatoes have been used for centuries as wart treatment. While the science is unknown, raw sliced potato placed on a wart is proven to dissolve the wart and prevent it from growing.
• Thuja - Thuja is a type of North American cedar tree that has compounds known to treat warts. A topical application of thuja placed directly on a wart works to stop the HPV virus and dry the wart.

References

1. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Warts/Pages/Introduction.aspx
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-warts/basics/causes/con-20021715
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/warts