by Amy Shannon Woodford

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

Warts result from a viral infection that causes roughened bumps on the skin. Though garden-variety warts are not health-threatening, they can prove to be a source of aggravation and embarrassment.

While dozens of effective, over-the-counter wart removers are available, the results can be unattractive and even painful. Salicylic acid in these removers causes the outer layer of skin to peel, eventually removing the wart. Without care, the skin around the warts can be affected as well, and the notion of peeling off layers of healthy skin is unappealing, to say the least.

Surgical removal of warts through electrocautery or cryotherapy can be painful as well, besides being far more expensive than over-the-counter treatments. There is a slight risk of infection, with no guarantee the wart won't return.

When choosing how to treat warts, consider all-natural alternatives to these options. Be cautioned that natural solutions are not always quick fixes, but the results are far gentler to the skin.

Castor oil is a common home remedy for warts that works marvelously, given time. Dab a small drop of castor oil on the wart with an eye-dropper or cotton swab, then cover with a bandage. Repeat three times a day for best results. The wart will begin to shrink and eventually, disappear. Take care not to spread the oil on unaffected areas, as this can sometimes cause warts to spread temporarily.

You can boost the effectiveness of castor oil by adding essential oils with anti-viral properties. Add 15 drops each of lavender, lemon, and tea tree essential oils to one-half ounce of castor oil. Note that this is a highly concentrated solution that should not be used on large areas of the skin or on young children, the elderly, or pregnant women. Use the mixture just as you would straight castor oil.

The essential oils in this remedy also contain potent antipruritic and anti-inflammatory components, which ease itching and swelling, making the mixture a multi-purpose potion that soothes the pain and itch of insect bites.

Another popular home remedy for warts is apple cider vinegar. Tape a cotton ball saturated in cider vinegar to the affected area and leave overnight. For plantar warts on the soles of the feet, soaks in apple cider vinegar for up to an hour are recommended.

None of these remedies should be used to treat genital warts, which are sexually transmitted and have more serious health implications, including increased risk of cervical cancer. Anyone suffering from wart-like lesions in the genital region should immediately seek the treatment of a physician.

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