8 Ways to Get Rid of Warts Naturally

Throughout our lives we have to deal with annoying skin issues and, unfortunately, warts are among them. Caused by the human papillomavirus, these harmless growths frequently appear on fingers or hands. They are rough to the touch so they not only become unwanted visitors but also uncomfortable ones.

Don’t get desperate, because we at Bright Side have gathered some of the most efficient remedies to get rid of them and boost your confidence by having clear skin and a more positive body image.

1. Honey

Apparently, honey can be used in more ways than just in your tea or your yogurt. You can actually use it if you need to treat nasty warts. It possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It has also proven to be an effective barrier against infections due to its high viscosity. When you cover a wart with honey, you deprive it of all oxygen and, as a result, the wart will fade away.

Procedure:

1. It’s highly advisable to use medical-grade honey, like manuka honey.
2. Apply a thick layer of honey on the wart. Wipe out any excess honey surrounding the area.
3. Use a bandage to cover the wart and to prevent the honey from dripping.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Repeat as many times as necessary, always making sure that you first clean the bandage before reusing it.

2. Warm water and sea salt

This might be the easiest way to get rid of those unsightly warts. It can be a very effective treatment but requires a lot of dedication and perseverance since you’ll have to repeat it many times until you get the desired result.

Procedure:

1. Heat water and pour it into a washbowl. Make sure that the water is between 113°F and 120°F. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature of the water.
2. You can also dissolve sea salt in the water before soaking the infected area.
3. Soak the wart for approximately 10-15 minutes until the skin softens.
4. Use a nail file, pumice stone, or mild sandpaper to scrape off the dead skin layers.
5. Be patient as it can take up to 2-3 months for the wart to finally come off.

3. Pineapple

Pineapple juice can be a huge ally when removing warts since it is highly acidic and contains bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that helps destroy the wart.

Procedure:

1. Soak a piece of cotton in pineapple juice and squeeze out the excess liquid.
2. Carefully apply it to the wart without applying too much pressure.
3. Wrap the cotton pad with a bandage.
4. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes.
5. Repeat 2-3 times a day to get faster results.

4. Dandelion

Dandelions are a common weed that sprouts in spring and they have been used for their medicinal benefits in Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine for a very long time. Warts can be treated using dandelion milk, or sap, which is found in their stems.

Procedure:

1. Choose dandelions that grow naturally in fields and that haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals.
2. Pluck off the flower at the bottom while trying to leave the stem intact.
3. Squeeze the sticky, milky sap onto the wart.
4. Repeat this procedure 2 or 3 times a day for approximately 2 weeks or until the wart disappears.

5. Aloe vera

Aloe has many active components which have antiviral and antiseptic effects, as well as anti-inflammatory actions. These components help our immune system fight infections, thus making aloe one of the most sought out home-remedies for treating warts.

Procedure:

1. Remove a leaf from an aloe vera plant.
2. Cut it in half and scrape the gel off the leaf.
3. Apply the gel to the wart.
4. Cover with a bandage and wait for 5-10 minutes or until you feel some relief.
5. Repeat for approximately 2 weeks.

6. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a vital nutrient that has many benefits associated with boosting our immune system so that it can fight illnesses and enhance our healing process. Our body can’t produce it by itself so we can incorporate it through a diet rich in vitamins. Another option to get your recommended daily intake is through supplements.

Procedure:

1. Use a spoon or the bottom of a glass to crush up a vitamin C tablet.
2. Add the powder into a glass and slowly pour in water until you get a paste.
3. Soak a piece of cotton in the paste.
4. Apply the paste to the wart.
5. Cover it with a bandage.
6. Leave it on overnight.
7. Repeat this process daily until the wart disappears.

7. Basil

Basil is a herb most commonly used when cooking because it adds a distinctive flavor to our dishes. However, this herb also contains powerful antioxidants and essential oils which bring about many benefits like lowering inflammation and protecting our immune system from infections.

Procedure:

1. Crush up ⅓ of a cup of basil leaves until they are mushy.
2. Collect the paste with your fingers and rub it in the affected area.
3. Bandage the area to secure the paste.
4. Leave it on overnight.
5. Reapply every day for 1 or 2 weeks.

8. Cypress and lemon essential oils

Some essential oils contain various degrees of antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties which are very useful when treating warts. Bear in mind that essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin but diluted with a carrier oil. The most common ones are sweet almond and olive oil.

Procedure:

1. Add a few drops of the essential oil to an ounce of carrier oil.
2. Before applying it to the wart, do an allergy test: rub the mixture into an area of the skin that has no lesions. If there’s no allergic reaction within the next 24-48 hours, then it’s safe to use.
3. Soak a piece of cotton in the oil and squeeze out the excess liquid.
4. Carefully rub it on the wart.
5. Repeat twice a day until the wart shrinks in size.
6. Don’t expose the area to sunlight while you’re doing this treatment, as lemon oil is photosensitive and you could develop a dark spot on the area where the wart was.

Make sure that you visit your doctor first!

Before trying these natural remedies, make an appointment with your doctor to be absolutely certain that what you have is actually a wart since they can be mistaken for other skin growths. If they persist, spread to other parts of the body, or are recurrent, they can be a symptom of a weak immune system so it’s always advisable to get a check-up done.

Do warts frequently pop up on your skin? If so, which of these home remedies do you consider to be the most useful? Also, feel free to share this article with your family and friends if they suffer from these annoying growths.

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