Warts are small, bumpy heads on the skin that are usually harmless but can be irritating. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious. Their growth can be seen on the skin of hands, feet, face, genitals, and knees and are extremely common, especially in younger people.
Warts can be stubborn yet with the help of natural home remedies you can get rid of them. Here, we have brought 16 natural home remedies that can help you with warts, go till the last and find out the ones you already have in your pantry!
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar which is known for its acidic properties can help break down the wart. It is an acidic substance made from fermented apple juice. It is believed to work like salicylic acid, a common wart treatment that is responsible for peeling away infected skin and removing the wart. The vinegar possesses natural antimicrobial properties that can help fight HPV.
How To Use
You can use it by mixing 2 parts apple cider vinegar and 1 part water. Soak a cotton ball with this mixture, apply it to the wart, and cover it with a bandage for a few hours, allowing it to soften the wart.
Important Considerations
Apple cider vinegar should always be diluted before use because of its acidic nature. Also, you should not apply it on open wounds.
2. Garlic
Garlic has been used to heal skin conditions like psoriasis, corns, and others for a long time. It is also used for the treatment of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections such as warts. Garlic consists of a primary component called Allicin, which has antimicrobial properties. According to a 2014 study, garlic extract got rid of warts within four weeks permanently.
How To Use
At first, you need to crush up one clove of garlic and mix it with water. After that, apply the paste to the wart, cover it with a bandage, and leave it on for several hours. Repeat this process daily for three to four weeks. Otherwise, you can apply garlic juice or rub a clove on the wart-affected areas.
Banana peel has been used for the removal of warts for the past many years. It is believed that the enzymes and other compounds present in the banana peel break down the wart tissue or that the potassium in the peel can suppress warts.
How To Use
If you are willing to try using banana peels to remove warts then, you can start by cutting a piece of banana peel, taping it over the wart before bed with the inside of the peel touching your skin and leave it overnight. You can also repeat this process daily.
4. Orange Peel
Orange peel is another low-cost solution for wart treatment. Some people believe that applying the orange peel on the wart changes the color of the wart, darkens them leading to their fall off eventually.
How To Use
You can just rub an orange peel on the wart once a day which will supposedly, change the color of the wart, darken them and lead to their fall off within two weeks or more.
5. Pineapple
Pineapple consists of a protein-digesting enzyme called bromelain that can help remove dead and damaged skin when applied daily over several weeks. The use of pineapple juice in various ways has reportedly succeeded in removing warts.
How To Use
In order to treat warts at home with the help of pineapple, firstly, soak the body part with warts in pineapple juice daily. You can also apply fresh pineapple slices on the warts on a daily basis.
Lemon juice is generally used as a home remedy for the treatment of warts. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which may help destroy the virus or break down the wart’s tissue. According to a study, it was found that a diluted mixture of lemon juice and water was effective at removing flat warts when applied for a period of more than six weeks.
How To Use
The first step to using lemon juice is to clean or wash the wart area with soap and water. The second step is to squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the wart or you can also soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it to the wart. The third step is to cover the wart with a bandage in order to keep the lemon juice in contact with the wart and the last step is to repeat this process several times in a day.
Important Considerations
We recommend you to not use full-strength lemon juice on your face or body as it may cause several skin problems or irritation. If you experience any sort of redness or burning sensation, stop using it. It might take several days or weeks of consistent application to get the desired results. Moreover, this home remedy does not guarantee the results.
7. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another home remedy for warts. This nutrient plays a major role in strengthening the immune system of a person. It is believed to improve your body’s reaction to HPV.
Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties, meaning that it helps neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage contributing to overall skin health. The moisturizing effect of vitamin E may aid in softening the wart and the surrounding skin, making it easier to remove.
How To Use
To use vitamin E as a home remedy for warts, you can puncture a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the wart. You must cover the wart with a bandage and let it remain as it is overnight. You can repeat this process for two weeks daily.
8. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil possesses powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat skin conditions like acne and athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection on feet. When applied locally, it may help to dry out the wart and lessen viral activity.
How To Use
It is suggested that you should always dilute tea tree oil before applying it on the wart as the undiluted oil can cause skin irritation. To use it, you can combine 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of carrier oil, like castor oil or almond oil. Add 3 to 4 drops of this mixture on a cotton ball and place it on the wart for about 5 to 10 minutes. This process can be repeated two or three times a day.
The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties prevalent in castor oil might help soften the wart and promote its eventual removal. This oil is also used as a natural remedy for ringworm, dandruff, and several skin conditions.
How To Use
Clean the area by washing the wart with soap and water. Then, apply a small amount of castor oil directly to the wart. You can also cover the wart with a bandage to keep the oil in place but it is not mandatory. You have to repeat this process multiple times a day for several weeks.
Important Considerations
The application of castor oil on sensitive skin might create problems like irritation. You need to have patience as it may take several weeks to see the results and this is not a guaranteed method to remove warts from the skin although there are some successful results.
10. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is particularly famous for its soothing properties and is often used for skin conditions like burns and psoriasis. This helps to provide relief in case your wart is itchy or painful. Aloe vera gel also fights pathogens, including viruses.
A study conducted in 2016 came up with the finding that aloe vera works against herpes simplex virus type 1. Aloe vera contains compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which potentially help with wart-related discomfort.
How To Use
If you would like to try aloe vera for the removal of warts, then you can start by cutting open an aloe vera leaf and scooping out the gel. And then you can apply the gel directly to the wart several times a day.
11. Duct Tape
Duct tape is a popular, inexpensive and easy-to-find home remedy for warts. Covering the wart with duct tape develops a moist environment that can lead to the suffocation of the wart.
Removing the tape can help you to get rid of dead skin cells, potentially removing the wart as well. There are some theories that suggest that duct tape might trigger an immune response, supporting the body to fight the wart-causing virus.
How To Use
Firstly, wash the wart with soap and water. Cut a piece of duct tape slightly larger than the wart and apply it over the area. Keep it on for around 3 to 6 days. Remove it every three to six days and soak the wart in warm water and scrub it with a pumice stone or emery board. Leave the area of wart uncovered for 10 to 12 hours and don’t forget to repeat the process.
Important Considerations
Duct tape is not a guaranteed technique to work for everyone and it might take several weeks to see the results. You have to use duct tape with caution if you have sensitive skin as it may cause redness, irritation, and bleeding.
Bee propolis, a sticky substance can be used as a natural treatment for warts as this substance collected by bees is widely known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It constitutes of natural products like beeswax, plant extracts etc. that may be really effective in removal of warts.
Propolis may help fight the HPV virus, the causative agent of warts, reduce inflammation and discomfort associated with warts, and also boost the immune system helping in the body’s fight against the wart.
How To Use
Firstly, clean the area with soap and water. Then, apply a small amount of propolis directly to the wart and you can cover the wart with a bandage to keep the propolis in place. Repeat this process several times a day for several weeks to possibly get the results.
Important Considerations
Propolis may sometimes cause allergic reactions to the skin so, make sure to do a patch test before applying it to a larger area. It might take several weeks to see the results. According to the findings of some people, the combination of propolis with other treatments like salicylic acid may seem to be more effective.
13. Onion Juice
Onion possesses strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help prevent the growth of viruses or bacteria, potentially contributing to wart removal.
How To Use
You need to extract the juice by peeling and grating a small onion. You can also crush it in a mortar and pestle it. After this, apply the onion juice directly to the wart using a cotton ball and cover the wart with a bandage to make sure that the juice remains in contact with the wart. Keep the bandage on for several hours and remove it afterward. Repeat this process multiple times a day for several weeks.
Important Considerations
Onion juice may cause skin irritation, so you may discontinue it in case you feel discomfort. It might take several weeks of consistent application to get the results and like several other remedies; it does not guarantee the results.
Baking soda is an alkaline substance and it is believed that it can create an unwelcoming environment for the HPV virus that causes warts leading to the potential removal of warts.
How To Use
You can mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste to the wart and cover it with a bandage. Keep the bandage on for a few hours and remove it. Repeat this process multiple times a day for several weeks for the best possible results.
Important Considerations
Baking soda may cause skin problems like dryness and irritation. The baking soda does not guarantee the fact that it will certainly remove the wart. You need to have patience and apply it regularly for the best possible results.
15. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt can be a helpful additive to other treatments with the ability to soften the wart, making it easier to get rid of or treat with other methods. Epsom salt also has anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve discomfort. Plantar warts can usually be treated by soaking the foot in Epsom salt baths to soften the wart.
How To Use
You can dissolve a cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak the affected area with a cotton ball for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, gently scrub the softened wart with a pumice stone or emery board. You can combine Epsom salt soaks with other treatments like salicylic acid or duct tape for better results.
Important Considerations
Use of Epsom salt alone might not completely remove the wart, so you have to combine it with other treatments for better results. Some people might face the problem of skin dryness after prolonged soaking. It is necessary to soak regularly for better results.
16. Honey
Honey with its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties can aid in removing warts. Covering a wart in honey will deprive it of all oxygen creating a moist environment that can help soften the wart and potentially suffocate it.
Its natural moisturizing effects and potential to stimulate tissue generation make it a popular ingredient to combine into your skincare routine. The honey, if taken internally, can help the immune system, restoring the immune cells and encouraging proper function.
How To Use
Firstly, clean the area with soap and water. Cover the wart by applying a thick layer of honey to it and bandage the wart to keep the honey in contact with the wart. Remove the bandage after keeping it on for several hours.
Author
Reviewer
Biswas Kharel
Biswas Kharel is a food blogger and writer who brings a sharp eye and adventurous palate to every bite he writes about. Known for his thoughtful reflections and down-to-earth style, Biswas blends personal anecdotes with rich culinary insights—from quiet village kitchens to lively urban eateries.
His blog is a flavorful mix of travel, tradition, and honest food reviews, offering readers a window into the heart of every dish. For Biswas, writing about food isn’t just a passion—it’s a way of documenting life, one meal at a time.
Biswas Kharel is a food blogger and writer who brings a sharp eye and adventurous palate to every bite he writes about. Known for his thoughtful reflections and down-to-earth style, Biswas blends personal anecdotes with rich culinary insights—from quiet village kitchens to lively urban eateries.
His blog is a flavorful mix of travel, tradition, and honest food reviews, offering readers a window into the heart of every dish. For Biswas, writing about food isn’t just a passion—it’s a way of documenting life, one meal at a time.
