While there is no denial that better research needs to be done on essential oils in dealing with warts, using them is often one of the best ways to get started with the treatment of skin ailments like warts.
Warts are irritating! Apart from being the trademark look for film witches, warts have plagued humans for literally centuries upon centuries.
Shakespeare was fond of vividly describing them in his works! Heck, evidence of warts has even been found on mummies that are over 3000 years old (yeesh, talk about a malignant wart).
But while warts aren’t all that dangerous, they’re definitely unsightly (and embarrassing!), they grow, they spread out, they drive you nuts and they are contagious unlike other skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, which are not. And, since they are caused due to a virus, they generally do not respond well to medication.
In this segment, we’ll look at what these mythical growths are and if there’s anything we can do about them. Spoiler alert – of course there is.
A wart is a small, rough, hard, harmless growth on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus. They can occur as one wart or a group of them concentrated in one place. Typically, they’re found on the hands and feet, but they’ve been known to occur in other areas as well.
These noncancerous growths are similar in color to the rest of your skin, but the appearance can differ based on where the wart is located or what type it is.
Except for one or two types, warts are generally not painful nor do they come with other symptoms. Warts are extremely common with reports showing that most people will get infected at one point or another. Infection is more common in young people however, i.e. about 1 in 3 children and teenagers tend to have warts, most likely due to their “weaker” immune system.
What Causes Warts?
Contrary to popular belief, touching a frog or any other reptile will not give you warts!
Warts are caused by the HPV or human papillovirus. To date, there are over 130 genetically different strains of HPVs. However, each type is only able to infect a couple specific areas of your body.
The most common means of contagion is by direct contact with an infected person. Although you may also be at risk of acquiring recently shed HPV in warm, moist environments such as public showers, locker rooms, pools, amongst others. The virus seeks out recent skin injury sites and could incubate for between one to eight months.
Symptoms of Warts
Warts come with very few symptoms. Apart from physically seeing the warts, most people can go about their lives without even realizing they have these small growths. You’ll be able to spot small, hard, rough growths as the fist symptom.
For warts under the feet, some pain and discomfort should remind you of their presence. I think it would be if we looked at the individual characteristics of different types of warts instead.
Types of Warts
There are six major types of warts – you can see images of each here; each with a distinct appearance and found on a different location.
1) Common Warts
These small, rough, flesh colored growths are mostly found on the fingers, back of hands and toes. The size caries from a tiny pinhead all the way to a pea with a rough, grainy appearance and rounded top. Typically, common warts show up where skin was broken from i.e. biting fingernails.
2) Plantar Warts
If it feels like you’ve got pebbles in your shoe, it just might be plantar warts. These are typically found under the soles of the feet as the name plantar suggests. Unlike other warts, plantar warts grow into your skin as a result of the pressure from walking and standing. They’re often mistaken for calluses since they’re tough, thick, and flat. But they can be identified by black dots on the surface.
3) Flat Warts
Flat warts are brownish flat top growths that appear on the face, arms and thighs. While flat warts have an upside in that they’re smaller and smoother, the downside is that they appear in overwhelming numbers of up to 100.
4) Filiform Warts
Filiform warts are thread like, spiky, flaps or tags of skin. Since they grow all around the mouth, nose, eyes, and rest of the face, they can be very annoying and embarrassing.
5) Genital Warts
These are small, scattered or clustered skin colored bumps that resemble tiny cauliflowers on your genitalia. You get genital warts by having sex with a person who also has them. These warts can be very hard to treat.
6) Periungual Warts
Periungual warts are among the most painful types of warts. They resemble common warts but instead grow under the toenails and fingernails. Not only do they cause discomfort, but the warts affect nail growth as well.
Worried About Your Warts?
Are warts dangerous?
In one word – No. Warts are not dangerous at all.
However, they are so incredibly contagious that you don’t even need to have direct contact to get infected. You could be walking around a swimming pool and bam – plantar warts all over your feet.
Genital warts are also quite serious due to the social and emotional impact they have. So while most warts are benign and generally not dangerous in the sense that they’re not life threatening, they can definitely cause pain, discomfort, and a lot of frustration.
When to see your doctor
Since we already mentioned Shakespeare, might as well ask – to treat, or not to treat? That is the question.
We already know that majority of warts are harmless and don’t require special attention. But what about those that aren’t harmless? What about those that cause daily pain and embarrassment?
Sometimes, waiting for a wart to go away on its own can backfire. It might get bigger, manifest into more warts, or you might even infect your friends and family. Here are some instances where seeking medical advice is imperative:
If you have warts on the face, nose, or sensitive body parts that are causing embarrassment
If the wart is painful or starts changing shape and color
If the wart starts bleeding after just a slight bump
If you have any genital warts that could interfere with your sex life
How To Prevent Warts
There are several different ways to prevent wart infection. But first and foremost, the most important thing is preventing the spread to others. If you have warts, remember that they are very contagious. So it’s up to you to make sure that they don’t spread to other people or other parts of your body.
Ensure you wash your hands at all times whether you have warts or not. Make sure you keep all warts bandaged if possible and don’t pick at them. And when in public showers, locker rooms or pools wear flip flops or shoes to prevent contact. Also, don’t share your personal hygiene products such as towels with anyone.
Facts About Warts
The two images below show 15 facts about warts:
What Are The Best Essential Oils To Use For The Treatment Of Warts?
While there are hundreds of essential oils available for different kinds of ailments, only a few of them can help you eliminate warts. The five most popular essential oils used for the treatment of warts include Tea Tree, Oregano, Lemon, Thyme and Eucalyptus.
Studies have revealed that these oils can substantially help in preventing the growth of warts, and in many cases, the warts never come back again. Keeping that in mind, here is what you should know before using these oils for the removal of warts.
List Of 11 Essential Oils That Will Get Rid Of Warts Naturally
Essential oils have been proven to be very effective against various skin diseases, including warts. The best 11 essential oils for getting rid of warts include:
1. Oregano
Oregano essential oil is hands down the fastest acting and most effective natural remedy against warts. In addition to its powerful antimicrobial properties, Oregano contains a compound called carvacrol which is responsible for the quick-acting antiviral effect that kills the HPV virus.
Word of caution: Oregano EO is among the harshest hot oils out there. This means it creates a burning sensation that irritates the skin. So while you want to be careful handling it, it’s the absolute best out there to burn off those stubborn warts.
2. Cinnamon Bark
Here’s another spice that reigns supreme in the kitchen department. But did you know that cinnamon is rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that could be exploited to treat and prevent wart infections?
Cinnamon EO also acts as an irritant which burns the warts clean off the skin. But be cautious and make sure you dilute it in a carrier oil properly since it is quite potent. The scent has also been credited for its aromatherapeutic and uplifting properties.
3. Clove
Used as a common ground kitchen spice, Clove actually has a history of being an ancient medicinal remedy for warts. This is mainly due to its unique combination of analgesic, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
These two traits combine to make clove oil a topical remedy for warts and other skin issues. When used at the right concentration, clove EO should be able to eliminate warts and numb the skin to pain and discomfort that comes with certain types of warts.
4. Rosemary
Here’s another oil that is infamous in the skincare industry. If you’re dealing with skin tumors and painful warts on any part of your body, then this is one of the best oil to help deal with the situation. It works just as well even when diffused.
Rosemary contains its own unique combination of antioxidant, healing and pain relieving properties. So once you use some of the harsher oils to eliminate warts, Rosemary EO will be necessary to relieve the pain and accelerate the healing process.
5. Tea Tree
There’s no secret here; Tea Tree is already a widely used ingredient for numerous hygiene and beauty products. From skincare soaps all the way to household disinfectants, Tea Tree EO can handle it all, including dealing with warts.
Tea Tree EO contains potent antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties that can destroy HPV. At the same time, the restorative properties of Tea Tree will help heal the skin much faster.
6. Eucalyptus
Although not as potent as Tea Tree and some of the other oils on this list, Eucalyptus oil can definitely be used for wart treatment. We already know about the cooling and antioxidant properties of Eucalyptus that can closely match those of peppermint.
Eucalyptus oil works best when used in conjunction with another essential oil such as Oregano or Tea Tree. This allows it to mitigate the burning effect of hot oils and improve circulation to the area for faster healing and recovery.
7. Thyme
As we already know, warts are caused by the HPV virus which can be very infectious and stubborn to treat. What’s more, the virus is always adapting making it quite drug-resistant. This is where Thyme essential oil steps in to deal with stubborn warts.
It is well known for its effectiveness in attacking bacteria, viruses, fungi and other harmful organisms. So if you’ve got any wart causing, drug resistant viruses living on your skin, look no further as Thyme EO may be an excellent option to deal with and prevent wart infections.
8. Cypress
Pressed from the leaves of the evergreen Cypress, this here essential oil has long been prized for its application in the medical industry. Many people already use it for headaches, muscle pain, infections and most importantly for us, warts.
This can be attributed to one complex active component that gives Cypress EO its renowned healing properties. Research actually shows that antiviral compound combats the herpes simplex 1 virus which is among the many that cause genital warts.
9. Frankincense
Frankincense EO has a rich history of use across numerous cultures. No traditional or religious ritual was complete without it. This could be attributed to the potent astringent, antimicrobial and healing properties that the oil contains.
Today, we can harness the full power of Frankincense to help eliminate and prevent warts from taking over. You can already find several antimicrobial and antimicrobial skincare and soaps infused with Frankincense oil, which makes it the best to use in public areas like the beach, gym, pool, or showers.
10. Lemon
By now, you’ve probably noticed that most essential oils for warts seem to lean towards the antibacterial, antiviral or antimicrobial side. Well, that’s because these are the ones which specifically target the viruses that cause warts.
In addition to all the above properties, Lemon EO contains unrivaled antiseptic and astringent properties that effectively kill off HPV and shrink the warts off your skin. You can use Lemon in place of Tea Tree if you have overly sensitive skin, however make sure you don’t expose the area to UV light within 8 hours of use.
11. Lavender
While not really a direct treatment for warts, lavender has plenty of benefits to bring to the table. Sure, the oil does contain a bit of antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that help treat a range of skin conditions.
But the real gold we’re after today is the unrivalled aromatherapeutic properties that have put lavender on the map. The sweet scent of lavender alone is enough to take your mind away from the discomfort that comes with some types of warts. Diffusing the oil overnight will help ease some pain and tension to allow for healthy, natural healing.
How To Use Essential Oils On Warts
Using any of the above essential oils, Mother Nature’s own tonic, you can help heal and destroy in equal measure.
Here’s what I mean; while some essential oils have potent antiviral and irritant properties that will burn off the warts and kill off all viruses involved, others will have the opposite effect which is also great. This means that after using the stronger oils to destroy warts, you can use the healing, and rejuvenating EOs to heal the affected area much faster.
But like any other treatment, using essential oils to remove warts is a slow process that requires time and dedication. I won’t lie to you, the warts won’t disappear overnight. The key is patience, persistence, and having the right arsenal of essential oils.
It might take a few weeks or even a month for any essential oil treatment to eradicate the warts completely. However, it is likely that you will start seeing the changes within a couple of days. Let’s now look at the different methods to apply these essential oils.
Neat – Any essential oil used neat means that it has been used in its concentrated form without the need for a carrier oil. Of course, this is not usually recommended, even by me. But since we’re dealing with really tough, thick bits of skin, it may be necessary to use some essential oils neat to get the maximum benefit. But do a test patch before hand and also consider the risks of potential unintentional skin irritation when using EOs neat.
Diluted – You can likewise use any of the above essential oils or even a mix of two (or more) and diluting in 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar. When using the blend topically, apply using a cotton bud straight on the wart and avoid touching the skin surrounding the wart and cover with a band-aid.
Baths – Some types of warts will respond nicely to essential oil baths, especially those located under the feet. If you have plantar warts, a regular EO salt bath will clear them fast.
Essential oil Compresses – These also work well to target warts in specific areas. Combined with hot water, the compress lets the EOs really soak into the skin.
Diffusion – While not really targeting warts, you can diffuse essential oils to help stimulate the immune system all through the night. This could help eliminate warts and prevent any future infections.
8 Essential Oil Recipes That Will Help You Eliminate Warts Fast
Here are a couple of homemade treatment recipes for warts that I have personally tried and tested:
1. Easy Recipe for Quick Relief in all Types of Warts
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
2 drops of Cypress
4 drops of Lemon
Put the above ingredients in a clean glass bottle and mix well. Dab a cotton ball in the blend and apply directly on the wart making sure to not touch areas surrounding the wart. Follow this process two times a day until the wart disappears completely.
2. Special Wart Blend for Kids
Ingredients:
1 oz. (30ml) Jojoba (carrier oil)
6 drops Frankincense
8 drops of Eucalyptus
4 drops Lavender
Mix all of the above ingredients in a dark colored glass bottle and apply just one to two drops of this blend twice daily on the wart. Continue this treatment for at least 2 weeks.
3. Recipe for Warts on Hands and Fingers
If you’ve got warts growing on your fingers and hands, then it’s most likely just a case of common warts. And since the hands/fingers have much tougher skin, this is our chance to use some of our stronger essential oils.
Oregano is hands down (pun intended) one of the best essential oil for dealing with even the most stubborn wart. That’s because in addition to possessing powerful antimicrobial properties, Oregano EO is actually a hot oil.
This gives it an irritating component that allows it to burn off even the most stubborn warts. The addition of Tea tree and Cinnamon oils are also great for this steamer since they are loaded with a throng of antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
Common Wart Hot Oil Treatment
What you need:
3 drops Oregano EO
3 drops Tea Tree EO
2 drops Cinnamon EO
Tbsp of Coconut oil
Small glass bottle
Cotton Balls
Directions: This here’s the fastest acting remedy and most effective way to get rid of warts. But be warned, the blend is meant to have a burning effect, so be sure to dilute with more carrier oil (go with 2 or 3 tbsp) if you have sensitive skin.
To make use of this hot oil recipe, start by blending all the EOs is a small glass bottle. Top up with 1 tbsp of coconut oil to dilute and mix well.
Once the ingredients are homogeneously blended, soak some cotton balls in there for a few seconds. While they soak, apply some Vaseline on the good skin around the wart to protect it. Put the now soaked cotton balls directly on the warts and secure with a band aid. Repeat three times a day until all the warts on your hands fall off.
4. Recipe for Facial Warts
Out of all the different types of warts there are, none are perhaps more embarrassing than those that show up on your face.
I mean, our faces are the first thing people see when they look at us. Nobody wants the first impression they make to be warts, warts and more warts. For the face, the most likely culprits are either flat warts or filiform warts.
You’ll want an essential oil that is gentle on you face yet still effective. Frankincense has shown a lot of promise with eczema and other skin disorders, and it’s been proven that its mild anti-inflammatory properties helps with removing facial warts as well.
Simple EO Blend for Facial Warts
Ingredients
8 drops Frankincense EO
4 drops Lemongrass EO
2 drops Lavender EO
1 oz. Olive Oil
Directions: You’ll notice that most of the oils we used for facial warts are mild, and come with a low dilution rate of 1%. The last thing we want is to burn your face while removing warts, so feel free to alter the dilution rate by adding some more carrier oil (you may add an extra ½ oz. or so).
To use this recipe, blend all the oils in a small bowl and stir. Soak a small face towel and dab all the warts on your face. Make sure you get all of them. Leave the oil on your face for 2-3 hours before washing up. Repeat two times a day until the facial warts start to dry up.
5. Recipe for Warts on Feet
We’re talking about the warts on the top side of your feet and toes as well. Typically these are usually either common warts or a different type known as periungual warts.
To keep these warts from multiplying, I cooked up a recipe with Tea Tree as the main antiseptic ingredient and Manuka essential oil as a solid antiviral that will prevent the HPV virus from spreading to other areas of your feet.
Periungual Warts EO Blend
Ingredients
2 drops Tea Tree EO
2 drops Manuka EO
1 drop Eucalyptus EO
1 drop Lemon EO
Tbsp of Jojoba EO
Cotton Balls
Directions: This recipe will be quite similar to the one for common warts with a few key differences. One of them being the fact that this recipe will be used overnight. So mix up all the oils in a glass bottle and top up with jojoba carrier oil.
You can use less carrier oil (a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon) to dilute since the skin on your toes is quite tough. Soak the cotton balls in the blend you concocted and apply on all the areas with warts. Hold them in place with bandages for an all-night treatment.
6. Recipe for Genital Warts
If you’re mad at your partner for giving you genital warts, you’re not alone. Statistics show that there are over a million new cases of genital warts every year.
Fortunately, there are numerous treatments for these socially awkward warts. At the right dilution, Tea Tree oil and Thyme combine well to eliminate genital warts.
Genital Wart Formula
Ingredients
2 drop Tea Tree
2 drop Thyme Oil
Tbsp Coconut Oil
Petroleum Jelly
Directions: While you want to complete eradicate genital warts fast, the skin around this area is very sensitive, so make sure you’re really careful.
Mix the above ingredients and apply directly on the genital warts after covering the area around with petroleum jelly. Do not apply the blend internally via anus or vagina.
7. Recipe for Oral Warts / Wart on Tongue
For those who engage in oral sex, there’s a chance of contracting warts in the mouth and on the tongue known as oral warts.
This oral HPV could cause constant sore throats, trouble swallowing, hoarseness and enlarged lymph nodes. Unless you want to wait for about two years for the oral HPV to hopefully treat itself, you’ll want to try the following recipe. Tea Tree, Clove and Garlic EO work great for this one.
Oral Warts Anti-HPV Gargle
Ingredients
4 drops Tea Tree EO
3 drops Garlic EO
2 drops Clove EO
Glass of lukewarm water
Directions: In a glass of lukewarm water, drop in the EOs as indicated above and stir well. Take a big swig of the blend, swish around your mouth and gargle for a few minutes. Repeat 3 times everyday to speed up the healing of oral warts.
For an even more effective gargle, reduce the water or increase the EO dosage. Likewise, you can dilute the essential oils in 2 tbsp of coconut oil and use a Q-Tip to apply the blend directly on the wart.
8. Recipe for Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are generally found under the soles of your feet, are round and small in appearance with a tougher exterior that looks like a little black dot on the skin. If you’ve ever had them, then you know just how painful they can be. Plus, the hygiene conditions in your shoes leave a lot to be desired.
That’s why we need a potent blend that will kill HPV, eliminate warts and ease pain as well. For plantar warts, Oregano and Eucalyptus EOs are essential along with some vinegar to keep the peace in your shoes.
Vinegar and Oil Formula for Plantar Warts
Ingredients
3 drops Oregano EO
2 drops Eucalyptus EO
2 drops Thyme EO
Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
Tbsp of Coconut oil
Pinch of Baking Soda
Directions: This recipe is enough to make a blend that can cover both your entire heels. Take care because it’s incredibly potent. To use it, blend all the oils in a bowl and add in the coconut oil as indicated. Next, pout in the vinegar while stirring and finish up with the baking soda.
I use baking soda because in addition to being anti-inflammatory, it also allows the blend to stick to your soles in a thick paste. Apply this pasty blend generously every night to the warts on your soles and cover with a bandage or wear some socks to avoid staining your sheets.
After Treatment Recipe Once Warts Are Gone
Once a wart has been removed, it’s only natural that it leaves behind some damaged skin. To rejuvenate the skin, accelerate healing and make sure that the warts don’t come back, you’ll need an effective after treatment recipe.
Skin Renewing EO Blend
Ingredients:
7 drops Rosemary EO
4 drops Lavender EO
5 drops Lemon EO
3 drops Clove EO
1 oz. coconut oil
Directions: This gentle blend will replenish and rejuvenate the skin after a harsh wart burning session. The Rosemary and Lavender improves circulation to the affected area and promote healing while the Lemon and Clove ensure the HPV virus does not take root again.
