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Natural Remedies for Warts: Safe Application and Community Reports

| Modified on Jun 08, 2026
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Apple cider vinegar for warts.

Warts are small skin growths caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. They are usually harmless, but they can be stubborn, contagious, uncomfortable, and frustrating to remove. Warts may appear on the hands, fingers, feet, face, knees, elbows, or around the nails. Plantar warts on the soles of the feet can be especially painful because body weight pushes them inward while walking.

Earth Clinic readers have shared hundreds of wart remedy reports over the years. The most popular remedy by far is apple cider vinegar, followed by banana peel, folk and mind-body remedies, hydrogen peroxide, duct tape, tea tree oil, castor oil, garlic, iodine, and thuja.

This guide explains the most popular natural remedies for warts, what readers commonly report, how to use each remedy more safely, and when a wart or wart-like growth should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

At a Glance

  • Most Popular Earth Clinic Remedy: Apple cider vinegar, with 132 reader reports
  • Second Most Popular Remedy: Banana peel, with 48 reader reports
  • Other Reader Favorites: Hydrogen peroxide, duct tape, tea tree oil, castor oil, garlic, iodine, and thuja
  • Best Gentle Options: Banana peel, castor oil, duct tape, and 3% hydrogen peroxide
  • Most Important Safety Tip: Protect healthy skin before using acidic or irritating remedies
  • Do Not Treat at Home: Genital, anal, oral, eyelid, rapidly changing, bleeding, or uncertain growths

Quick Nav

Is It Really a Wart?

Before treating a skin growth at home, it is important to be reasonably sure it is a wart. Warts can be confused with skin tags, corns, calluses, moles, seborrheic keratoses, and other skin growths. Treating the wrong lesion with acidic or irritating remedies can delay proper diagnosis and may damage healthy skin.

Wart

Often looks like: A rough, raised, grainy growth. It may have tiny black dots, which are clotted blood vessels rather than seeds.

Common locations: Hands, fingers, knees, elbows, soles of the feet, and around nails.

Skin Tag

Often looks like: A soft, flesh-colored flap of skin on a small stalk.

Common locations: Neck, underarms, eyelids, groin folds, and under the breasts.

Corn or Callus

Often looks like: Thickened, hardened skin caused by friction or pressure. Corns and calluses are common on feet and toes.

Important clue: A plantar wart may interrupt normal skin lines and can have black dots. A callus usually follows pressure points and does not have viral blood-vessel dots.

Mole or Changing Pigmented Spot

Do not treat at home if a growth is dark, irregular, changing, bleeding, painful, or uncertain. It should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Often looks like: A waxy, stuck-on, rough or scaly growth, often on the face, scalp, chest, back, or shoulders. These are common with age and are not warts.

Best approach: Have new or changing growths confirmed before using home remedies.

Types of Warts

Warts are caused by HPV entering the top layer of skin, often through tiny cuts, scratches, hangnails, or skin softened by moisture. Warts can spread from one part of the body to another or from person to person through contact with the wart or contaminated surfaces.

Common Warts

Common warts are rough, raised growths that often appear on the hands, fingers, elbows, and knees. They may be flesh-colored, gray, brown, or slightly darker than the surrounding skin.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet. They may look flat because body weight pushes them inward. They can feel like stepping on a pebble and may become painful with walking or exercise.

Flat Warts

Flat warts are smaller, smoother, and flatter than common warts. They may appear in clusters on the face, hands, or legs.

Filiform Warts

Filiform warts are narrow, finger-like growths that often appear around the mouth, nose, chin, or eyelids. Because of their location, they are best evaluated before home treatment.

Important: This article focuses on common non-genital skin warts. Genital, anal, or oral HPV lesions require medical evaluation and should not be treated with apple cider vinegar, garlic, essential oils, or other irritating home remedies.

Earth Clinic’s reader feedback shows a clear pattern. Apple cider vinegar is the dominant wart remedy, with banana peel a strong second. However, the best remedy depends on the wart’s location, thickness, pain level, skin sensitivity, and whether the wart is on the face, hands, feet, or around the nails.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Reader Reports: 132

Best For: Common warts, hand warts, some plantar warts, and stubborn warts.

Typical Reader Experience: Wart turns white, purple, brown, or black, dries, scabs, shrinks, and eventually separates.

Main Drawback: Can sting, throb, burn surrounding skin, and cause scabbing if used too aggressively.

Banana Peel

Reader Reports: 48

Best For: Children, sensitive skin, and those who want a gentler approach.

Typical Reader Experience: Gradual shrinking, softening, or disappearance with nightly use.

Main Drawback: Slower than more aggressive remedies.

Mind-Body and Folk Remedies

Reader Reports: 20

Best For: People interested in suggestion, visualization, hypnosis, prayer, or traditional folk methods.

Typical Reader Experience: Some readers report wart resolution after symbolic or belief-based rituals. These reports are anecdotal, but the mind-immune connection is a longstanding area of interest.

Main Drawback: Results are unpredictable and difficult to study.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Reader Reports: 11

Best For: Small warts and sensitive areas where ACV may be too harsh.

Typical Reader Experience: Slower layer-by-layer peeling, often with less pain.

Main Drawback: Requires consistency for several weeks.

Duct Tape

Reader Reports: 10

Best For: Common warts and some plantar warts.

Typical Reader Experience: Wart softens and gradually breaks down with repeated occlusion and gentle filing.

Main Drawback: Can take weeks and may irritate skin.

How Long Do Wart Remedies Take?

Wart-removal timelines vary widely. A small new wart on the hand may respond much faster than an old plantar wart under thick callused skin. The following timelines are general reader-pattern estimates, not guaranteed outcomes.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Typical range: Several days to several weeks.

Common signs of progress: Color change, darkening, tenderness, scabbing, shrinking, and separation.

Banana Peel

Typical range: Several weeks.

Common signs of progress: Wart softens, flattens, shrinks, or gradually fades.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Typical range: Several weeks.

Common signs of progress: Whitening, drying, and layer-by-layer peeling.

Duct Tape

Typical range: Several weeks or longer.

Common signs of progress: Softened wart tissue that can be gently removed over time.

Garlic

Typical range: Days to weeks.

Common signs of progress: Drying or irritation of wart tissue.

Caution: Garlic can burn healthy skin quickly.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Warts

Apple cider vinegar is Earth Clinic’s most popular wart remedy, with 132 reader reports. Readers commonly use it topically by applying ACV to a small piece of cotton, covering the wart overnight, and repeating until the wart darkens, dries, and falls away.

The acidity of apple cider vinegar may help break down wart tissue. It may also irritate the area enough to stimulate a local immune response. However, this same acidity can burn surrounding skin, especially if the cotton is too large, the area is tightly sealed, or the treatment is continued after skin becomes raw.

Reader reports repeatedly describe a similar pattern: the wart changes color, becomes tender, darkens or blackens, dries, and eventually separates. Some readers report results in a few days, while others need one to two weeks or longer. Older, thicker, or plantar warts usually take more patience.

Detailed ACV Wart Protocol

  1. Clean the area. Wash the wart and surrounding skin with soap and water, then dry thoroughly.
  2. Soften thick skin if needed. For a plantar wart or thick wart, soak in warm water first. Gently file only dead callused skin with a disposable emery board.
  3. Protect healthy skin. Apply petroleum jelly, zinc oxide cream, or a thick balm around the wart. Do not cover the wart itself.
  4. Cut the cotton very small. Use a tiny piece of cotton no larger than the wart. This reduces chemical irritation to surrounding skin.
  5. Apply ACV to the wart only. Soak the cotton in raw apple cider vinegar and place it directly on the wart.
  6. Cover securely. Use a bandage or medical tape to hold the cotton in place.
  7. Leave on for several hours or overnight. Many readers use it overnight, but sensitive skin may need shorter applications.
  8. Remove and rinse. In the morning, remove the bandage, rinse the area, and let the skin breathe during the day.
  9. Repeat carefully. Continue daily if tolerated, taking rest days if skin becomes too irritated.

What Earth Clinic Readers Commonly Report With ACV

  • The wart may turn white shortly after application.
  • The wart may later turn purple, brown, red, or black.
  • A throbbing or stinging sensation may occur.
  • The skin around the wart can become white or irritated if not protected.
  • The wart may form a scab before falling off.
  • Some readers report a small crater or tender pink skin after the wart separates.
  • Protecting surrounding skin with petroleum jelly can make treatment more tolerable.

When to Pause ACV Treatment

Stop or pause apple cider vinegar treatment if there is severe burning, spreading redness, blistering, pus, significant swelling, open raw skin, or pain that feels excessive. Let the area heal before considering whether to continue.

Do not use ACV on genital warts, around the eyes, on open wounds, or on any growth that has not been clearly identified as a wart.

What to Expect During Wart Treatment

Many wart remedies change the appearance of the wart before it improves. This can be alarming if you are not expecting it. Color changes are especially common with apple cider vinegar and other drying or irritating remedies.

Common Wart Changes During Treatment

  • White: Skin may turn white after moisture, peroxide, ACV, or occlusion.
  • Red or tender: Irritation may occur as the wart and surrounding skin react.
  • Purple, brown, or black: Many ACV users report darkening before the wart dries or separates.
  • Scab: The wart may crust over before falling away.
  • Peeling: Hydrogen peroxide, duct tape, and salicylic acid may produce gradual peeling.
  • Pink new skin: After the wart falls off, the area may look pink or tender for a while.

Warning signs include severe pain, spreading redness, pus, warmth, fever, red streaks, or a wound that does not heal. These require medical attention.

Special Considerations for Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are different from many hand warts because they grow on the soles of the feet and are often covered by thick callused skin. If a remedy cannot reach the wart tissue, it may irritate surrounding healthy skin without making much progress.

Plantar Wart Prep Before Home Remedies

  1. Soak the foot in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Dry the foot thoroughly.
  3. Gently file only the top layer of dead, thickened skin with a disposable emery board.
  4. Do not cut deeply or cause bleeding.
  5. Apply the chosen remedy directly to the wart.
  6. Throw away the emery board after use.

People with diabetes, neuropathy, poor circulation, immune suppression, or slow wound healing should not self-treat plantar warts without medical guidance.

Banana Peel for Warts

Banana peel is the second most popular wart remedy on Earth Clinic. It is inexpensive, gentle, and easy to try, especially for children or people whose skin cannot tolerate acidic remedies.

Readers usually apply the inner side of a banana peel directly to the wart and cover it overnight. Some prefer less-ripe banana peel, while others use ripe peel.

Banana Peel Wart Method

  1. Cut a small piece of banana peel slightly larger than the wart.
  2. Place the inside of the peel against the wart.
  3. Secure with a bandage or tape.
  4. Leave on overnight.
  5. Repeat nightly until the wart shrinks or disappears.

Banana peel is usually slower than ACV, but it is less likely to sting or burn. It may be a good first option for children, sensitive skin, or small warts.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Warts

Hydrogen peroxide is a useful alternative for people who want a slower and gentler approach. One popular Earth Clinic reader report described using regular 3% hydrogen peroxide twice daily on a wart near the upper lip. The wart gradually peeled layer by layer and disappeared after several weeks, without pain or scarring.

3% Hydrogen Peroxide Method

  1. Use regular 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore.
  2. Apply to the wart with a cotton swab.
  3. Let it dry.
  4. Repeat once or twice daily.
  5. Continue consistently for several weeks if the skin tolerates it.

Important: Do not use high-strength “food grade” hydrogen peroxide directly on skin. Concentrated peroxide can cause serious chemical burns.

Duct Tape for Warts

The duct tape method is a well-known home approach for common and plantar warts. The theory is that occlusion, mild irritation, moisture, and repeated removal of softened skin may stimulate the immune system and gradually weaken the wart.

Basic Duct Tape Method

  1. Cut duct tape slightly larger than the wart.
  2. Apply over clean, dry skin.
  3. Leave in place for several days if tolerated.
  4. Remove, soak the wart in warm water, and gently file softened dead skin with a disposable emery board.
  5. Let the area breathe overnight.
  6. Repeat the cycle for several weeks.

Do not reuse files, pumice stones, or emery boards used on warts, as this may spread the virus.

Tea Tree Oil for Warts

Tea tree oil is used for warts because of its strong skin-cleansing properties. It is potent and can irritate skin, especially when used undiluted.

Tea Tree Oil Method

  1. Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or castor oil.
  2. Apply a small amount directly to the wart.
  3. Cover if desired.
  4. Repeat once or twice daily if tolerated.

Caution: Tea tree oil should not be swallowed. Use extra caution on children, pets, sensitive skin, and facial areas.

Castor Oil for Warts

Castor oil is a gentle remedy often used for skin growths, rough patches, and irritated skin. For warts, readers may apply castor oil alone or combine it with baking soda to form a paste.

Castor Oil Paste

  1. Mix castor oil with a small amount of baking soda to form a paste.
  2. Apply directly to the wart.
  3. Cover with a bandage.
  4. Repeat daily if tolerated.

Castor oil is usually slower and gentler than ACV. It may be useful when harsh remedies are not tolerated.

Garlic for Warts

Garlic has a long history as a traditional remedy for viral skin growths. Earth Clinic readers have used fresh garlic slices or crushed garlic directly on warts.

One reader described treating the first wart that appeared, sometimes called the “mother wart” in folk traditions, by taping fresh garlic over it nightly. Over time, the original wart dried, and the remaining warts reportedly dried as well.

Fresh Garlic Method

  1. Cut a very small slice of fresh garlic.
  2. Apply only to the wart, not surrounding skin.
  3. Cover with a bandage for a limited time.
  4. Remove if burning becomes uncomfortable.
  5. Repeat cautiously if tolerated.

Caution: Garlic can burn skin. Protect surrounding skin and avoid using garlic on the face, genitals, open wounds, or sensitive areas.

Iodine for Warts

Iodine is another Earth Clinic remedy for warts. It is typically applied directly to the wart once or twice daily. Some people use povidone-iodine, while others use stronger iodine solutions.

Iodine stains skin and clothing and may irritate sensitive skin. People with thyroid disease, iodine sensitivity, or those taking thyroid medication should use caution and consult a healthcare provider before repeated iodine use.

Thuja for Warts

Thuja is a traditional homeopathic remedy often associated with warts, especially warts on the hands, face, or around the nails. It may be used internally as a homeopathic preparation or externally as a topical product.

Because homeopathic dosing varies widely, follow product directions or consult a qualified practitioner.

Vitamin A for Warts

Topical vitamin A has some published support for wart treatment and is included here because it is an important non-prescription option. Vitamin A plays a key role in skin cell turnover and immune function.

Topical Vitamin A Method

  1. Puncture a vitamin A capsule intended for topical use or use a suitable vitamin A oil.
  2. Apply a small amount directly to the wart.
  3. Repeat daily, often at night.
  4. Continue consistently, as results may take weeks or months.

Caution: Do not take high-dose vitamin A internally unless supervised by a healthcare professional, especially during pregnancy or if liver disease is present.

Natural Wart Remedies for Children

Children commonly get warts, especially on the hands, fingers, knees, and feet. Because children may pick at warts or have more sensitive skin, gentler remedies are usually better starting points.

Gentler Options for Children

  • Banana peel: Gentle and easy to apply overnight.
  • Duct tape: Useful for some hand or foot warts if the child tolerates the tape.
  • Castor oil: Mild and soothing, though slow.
  • Vitamin A oil: May be considered for small common warts with careful use.

Use caution with apple cider vinegar, garlic, essential oils, and iodine on children, as these can irritate or burn skin. Avoid harsh remedies on the face or near the eyes.

Other Remedies Readers Discuss

Ascorbic Acid and Coconut Oil

One reader reported success using ascorbic acid crystals mixed with coconut oil into a paste for a stubborn wart on the ear lobe after other remedies failed. The wart reportedly darkened and resolved.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel may soothe irritated skin and support healing, especially after a wart has fallen away or after a harsher remedy has caused dryness.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea compounds have been studied in dermatology, especially for certain HPV-related lesions. For common skin warts, green tea is more commonly used as general antioxidant and immune support.

Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil is increasingly used for immune and skin support. Although it is not among Earth Clinic’s top wart remedies, it may be worth considering as a supportive oil for people who tolerate it well.

Conventional Wart Treatments to Know About

Even in a natural remedies article, it is useful to understand standard wart treatments. Many people combine home care with conventional options, especially for painful plantar warts or stubborn warts that do not respond.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a common over-the-counter wart treatment. It gradually removes layers of wart tissue and usually requires daily use for weeks. It should not be used on the face, genitals, irritated skin, moles, or uncertain growths.

Freezing and Dermatology Treatments

Dermatologists may use cryotherapy, cantharidin, curettage, prescription creams, immune-stimulating treatments, or other therapies for stubborn, painful, or spreading warts.

Immune Support for Warts

Warts are viral, so immune function matters. Some people are more prone to warts during stress, after illness, with poor sleep, or when nutrient intake is low.

Nutrients and Foods That Support Skin Immunity

  • Vitamin A foods: Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, leafy greens, eggs, and dairy if tolerated
  • Zinc foods: Pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, lentils, cashews, hemp seeds, and shellfish
  • Vitamin C foods: Citrus, kiwi, strawberries, peppers, and broccoli
  • Garlic and onions: Traditional immune-support foods
  • Protein: Needed for skin repair and immune function
  • Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other fermented foods

Internal support is especially important for people with multiple recurring warts.

Aftercare Once a Wart Falls Off

After a wart separates, the skin underneath may look pink, tender, slightly indented, or raw. Good aftercare helps the area heal and may reduce irritation or scarring.

Wart Aftercare Checklist

  • Do not pick at the scab or remaining tissue.
  • Wash gently with mild soap and water.
  • Keep the area clean and dry.
  • Use a simple healing balm or aloe vera if the skin is dry or irritated.
  • Cover with a clean bandage if the area rubs on clothing or shoes.
  • Watch for signs of infection, including pus, warmth, spreading redness, or increasing pain.
  • Continue prevention steps because warts can recur.

How to Prevent Warts From Spreading

Warts can spread through direct contact, shared items, or small breaks in the skin. Prevention is especially important when treating warts at home.

Wart Spread Prevention Checklist

  • Do not pick, scratch, or bite warts.
  • Keep warts covered when possible.
  • Wash hands after touching a wart.
  • Do not share towels, razors, nail clippers, or pumice stones.
  • Use disposable emery boards and throw them away after filing a wart.
  • Wear sandals in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.
  • Keep feet dry to reduce plantar wart spread.
  • Avoid shaving over warts, as this can spread them.

When to See a Doctor

Most common warts are harmless, but not every skin growth is a wart. A healthcare provider should evaluate uncertain, painful, fast-changing, or sensitive-area growths.

Seek medical advice if:

  • The wart is on the face, eyelid, lips, genitals, anus, or inside the mouth.
  • You have diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or a weakened immune system.
  • The wart is painful, bleeding, rapidly growing, or changing color in an unusual way.
  • You are not sure whether the growth is a wart, mole, skin tag, corn, callus, or skin cancer.
  • There are many warts or they keep spreading.
  • A plantar wart interferes with walking.
  • Home treatment causes severe irritation, infection, or open sores.

Genital warts require medical care. Do not use apple cider vinegar, garlic, essential oils, or other irritating home remedies on genital or anal tissue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular natural remedy for warts on Earth Clinic?

Apple cider vinegar is the most popular Earth Clinic wart remedy, with 132 reader reports. Readers often report that the wart turns dark, dries, and falls away after repeated topical ACV applications.

How do you use apple cider vinegar for warts?

A common method is to soak a tiny piece of cotton in apple cider vinegar, place it directly on the wart, protect surrounding skin with petroleum jelly, cover with a bandage, and leave it on for several hours or overnight.

Why does a wart turn black with ACV?

Many readers report that warts turn black as they dry and separate from the skin. However, severe pain, spreading redness, pus, or open sores are signs to stop treatment and seek medical advice.

Is banana peel good for warts?

Banana peel is the second most popular wart remedy on Earth Clinic. Readers usually tape the inside of the peel over the wart overnight and repeat nightly until the wart shrinks or disappears.

Is hydrogen peroxide safer than apple cider vinegar?

Hydrogen peroxide may be gentler for some people, especially when using regular 3% drugstore hydrogen peroxide. It is often slower than ACV but may cause less stinging and less dramatic scabbing.

Can duct tape remove warts?

Some people report success with duct tape occlusion. The method involves covering the wart, periodically soaking and gently filing dead skin, and repeating for several weeks.

Are warts contagious?

Yes. Warts can spread through direct contact, shared personal items, public surfaces, and scratching or shaving over a wart.

Can warts come back?

Yes. Warts can recur if the virus remains in nearby skin or if the immune system does not fully clear the infection. Supporting immune health and preventing spread may reduce recurrence.

Can I treat a wart on my face at home?

Use caution. Facial growths should be properly identified before treatment, especially near the eyes, lips, or nose. Harsh remedies such as ACV, garlic, and essential oils can burn or scar delicate facial skin.

Are genital warts the same as common warts?

Genital warts are caused by different HPV types than most common hand and foot warts. They require medical evaluation and should not be treated with irritating home remedies.

What should I do after a wart falls off?

Keep the area clean, avoid picking, protect tender new skin, and watch for signs of infection or recurrence. If the area does not heal normally, seek medical advice.

Final Thoughts

Warts can be frustrating, stubborn, and contagious, but many people have found relief using simple home remedies. On Earth Clinic, apple cider vinegar is the leading wart remedy, followed by banana peel, hydrogen peroxide, duct tape, tea tree oil, castor oil, garlic, iodine, and thuja.

The best remedy depends on the wart’s location, size, thickness, sensitivity, and how aggressive a treatment you can tolerate. ACV is often fast but can sting and irritate surrounding skin. Banana peel and castor oil are gentler but slower. Hydrogen peroxide may be a useful middle ground for some people. Plantar warts often require extra preparation because thick callused skin can block topical remedies from reaching the wart.

Continue reading below to discover which wart remedies have worked best for Earth Clinic readers, and please share your own experience with us.

Related Links:

Banana Peel Uses: 2026 Skin, Wart, and Safety Guide
Natural Remedies for Plantar Warts | Home Treatments for Verrucas
Top Home Remedies for Genital Warts

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Acetone

5 star (1) 
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Posted by Nelle (Sarasota, Florida, Usa) on 09/13/2012
 ★★★★★

I used acetone for my wart and it dissapeared in 5 days. Whenever the wart is hard I applied acetone and when it's soft I scrape it with a nail file and it work.

Replied by Jc
(Boston)
08/04/2015

It worked but Acetone is dangerous. There are much safer and still yet effective approaches. But I am glad it worked for you and you are fine.

Lyne
(NC)
04/15/2021

Use regular nail polish remover, it has acetone in it.

Replied by Wendy
(Ny)
09/29/2015

This is pretty interesting, because I had a brainstorm of using liquid bandage on a wart above lip (this is ruining my life), and I noticed after just one application it shrunk about 30% or more. My purpose was to starve the wart of oxygen, much like duct tape...which obviously just wouldn't work for my face. The liquid bandage contains acetone, among other ingredients. I was just using a generic brand. I've been doing it when I'm inside the house for the night.

ACV, Banana Peel, Duct Tape

5 star (3) 
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Posted by Maria (Newmarket, Ontario, Canada) on 08/06/2011
 ★★★★★

I got a wart last week on my foot between third and fourth toe, I rubbed banana peel on it and then covered it with tape, it looked like it will stay here forever but after a week its gone, I am so happy and thanks to earth clinic, its really a very good site and I love it, during the week I also applied apple cider vinegar covering with duct tape, I am also drinking apple cider viegar for my planter faciitis and its also working no pain after one week.

Replied by Terri
(Great Falls, Va)
11/21/2011

I used ACV on my 9-yr old's filiform wart on lip and it came off after one dosage. I taped a small amout of cotton soaked in ACV on the wart, left it on overnight (removed in am). The wart came off the next day. Successful treatment. I cancelled his appt with the derm for surgical removal.

Replied by Mario
(Philadelphia)
05/24/2017

Wow, that was a very successful treatment.

ACV, Banana Peel, Duct Tape
Posted by David (New York, New York) on 05/11/2009
 ★★★★★

Used a banana peel/acv "one two" combo with duct tape for a wart. Here's the story. I've had a wart on my forehead for maybe a year and a half. In the beginning i just thought it was a pimple i couldn't get rid of. And because it grew so slowly i was adjusting psychologically to its presence and not doing anything, but finally, i'm like, it's huge and ugly, it's on my forehead, it's a WART, and i'm getting rid of it, somehow. Didn't want to spend a lot of money, so went on the net, found you guys. I went with the ripe banana peel inverted, pressed and sealed over the wart with duct type. I'd rub the peel liberally on it first. Did that for a night and a day, not removing the duct tape except once to put in a new peel. Then browsing around on your site, got curious about apple cider vinegar as cure-all ingestant, so went and out got that (along with some OP sesame oil just for giggles). So then, changing the banana dressing, knowing that ACV was the other popular wart cure and that i had some right in front of me, i took a q-tip, dipped it in the ACV, then jammed it at the wart, for a few minutes (By the way, I wasn't positive that the peel had done much by this point but thought not to judge from the short amount of time). Felt a nice burn, which i enjoyed. If there's pain, there's death. Cause the thing's gotta die, right? But anyway... Then i rubbed a new banana peel on it, and put the duct tape on, and went to bed. Next morning, i noticed the thing was irritated, red and uglier than usual. I put another banana peel with duct tape on. In the afternoon, i'm like, "you know... i liked that BURN from the ACV. Let's do that now." So i repeated my q-tip ACV application for a few minutes. Then i dipped another q-tip in the ACV, this time cut the end of it with scissors, cut it small enough for it to just cover the wart area, placed it on the wart and duct taped it over. Going to bed, vigorously rubbed banana peel on wart, then duct taped wart over ACV'd q-tip (no peel). Waking up, I did banana peel. [SORRY THIS IS BORING BUT IT'S ALMOST OVER]. Evening, I looked at thing, it had shrunk, was red and black. Decided to hit it with ACV. Tested it with my fingernail to see if there was any dead stuff to slough off, and then the thing started bleeding, slowly but non-stop. So for like a half-hour, i q-tipped it with ACV until it stopped bleeding, then duct taped it over another ACV'd cut q-tip for the night. I'd planned to see some friends, but not happening! Next morning (yesterday, actually), I looked at it, knew I'd won. It was black and laying flat just below surface skin level, like a mesa, unlike the protrusive mass it was before. Pressing on it, I felt a soreness, but in the healthy normal skin encasing it, not the wart itself. It was dead. I decided to just slap some duct tape on it without anything for the rest of the day and night. Now it's today, the next day, and I've removed the duct tape, so the area will dry out and hopefully the wart will fall out, no reason why it shouldn't, it's not living after all! heheh :)

Some thoughts: Obviously, i just followed my whims with this treatment, using what i read here as a guide. The banana peel definitely had a less aggressive feel. Don't know if it would have worked on its own. One thing I notice is that the immediately surrounding skin looks great. Really pink, plump and healthy. Maybe there's a facial in it for the girls out there (and boys ;p)

Finally: The site is very cool. Thanks a lot to you people for making it happen. One problem or question: People here really seem to be into "oil-pulling". I'm now in the process of trying it from having visited here. Thing is, i've looked all over the web including on this site to find any rational explanation of how it works, and have just drawn blanks from my perspective. How does it detoxify? HOW? All you see written is that it "pulls" toxins out. Okay, how does "that" work? Or that a doctor from India told some Ukrainian doctors that it works and if they don't believe him, try it for themselves. I understand fasting for detox. Makes perfect sense: Body gets overloaded with toxins, can't process them out of the system, meaning they stay in. Stop food intake, body gets a break to process out the toxins. But "oil-pulling"? Well, i'm trying it, but without a better explanation i'm skeptical it's not just placebo. Would be interested in anyone's thoughts on the subject.

Replied by Kathy
(Reading, Berkshire, UK)
07/23/2009

I have read the remedy for banana peel with interest, my 10 year old daughter had one recently removed from her thumb using Bazooka, but two have now appeared on her face, one on her lower lip a nasty tiny cauliflower devil about the size of a pea, and the other just below her eye. At first we thought it was a calcium spot but it has grown slightly and the GP confirmed they were different types of wart. She bravely agreed to have them frozen, but when the time came, she just couldn't bring herself to keep still and we agreed it would be too dangerous to continue. Does anyone have any advice on how to apply the banana peel to these facial warts? I suppose I could duct tape them on at night, but any other suggestions would be most helpful. Many thanks

Replied by Alex
(Boston, MA)
07/23/2009

I am replying to Kathy from Reading, Berkshire's posting. For wart problems, consider trying Manuka honey, Manuka oil or a mixture of Manuka honey and turmeric. Just put it over the wart and cover it with a bandage. I have personally had great results using Manuka honey and recommend it to anyone. I had warts on my hands for which I used a number of different remedies in addition to freezing and other over the counter medications, I used vinegar, copper pennies soaked in vinegar, banana peel, a variety of oils (clove, tea tree, etc) vitamin E, etc. Nothing really worked until I tried Manuka. I believe that these microorganisms that cause warts and other skin conditions adapt/mutate, and that is why many remedies work well for some and not at all for others, the little creature become somewhat unique to that person's body. While I am not sure if this will work for everyone, I really think that it is worth a try. The treatment is painless and you can find Manuka at most grocery stores.

Replied by Tricia
(Ireland)
07/24/2009

many years ago while studiying reflexology I managed to contract a wart on the bag area under my eye. At tht time the only over the counter remedies were based on salicylic acds which seemed to strong for such a delicate area. The course tutor told me to use clear nail polish on it to stop it from getting contact with oxygen. Well it worked. I put it on morning and evening and the wart completely dissappeared in about 3 days. He explained that all warts need oxygen to survive and if they are deprived they will die off. The sooner it is treated the less time needed on the remedy. BTW this won't work on verrucae cos they get their oxygen fron a blood vessel in the skin hence the red dot in the middle of them.

Replied by Marie
(South Bend, In)
12/29/2009

I recently grew a filiform wart on my face right below my lip. I found information on the internet about using iodine on warts. since I take lugols solution(iodine/iodide) I started applying the lugols to the wart. within a week a large portion of the wart fell off. It took about 4 weeks for the whole thing to dissappear, but the iodine worked. From everything I have read and from my alternative doc, warts on the face should not be frozen.

Replied by Jmt
(Seattle, Wa)
03/01/2011
★★★★★

I have had plantar warts on both of my feet at one time or another, I tried freezing, duct tape, and even tried bleomycin (incredibly painful) injected by a dermatologist. The only thing that ever worked was to use mediplast (it is the only product that seems to work), using this technique: www.wartsplantarwarts.com
It really is that easy, just get mediplast and tape, you don't even need to use nearly as much tape as in that picture or really even use a pumice stone, scissors will work.

Replied by Charity
(Meridian, Idaho [id])
09/29/2011

Hey David, to answer your question. Oil-pulling "pulls" toxins out because they are chemically attracted to fats. You don't have to use oil specifically - any fat will do like full fat milk (but that leaves a gross taste in my mouth). This book, Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing - is really great. He has a lot of the science of how it all works. Check it out - it'll answer your questions.

Replied by Erin
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
05/09/2012

I have been alternating a taped on banana peel and Apple Cider Vinegar for the last week while just putting some athletic tape on it during the day.

Now, I am beginning to question whether I have a plantar wart or a corn. If you do a search for either image, you will get pictures of corns that are plantar warts or vice versa. I did have a black dot I think (could have just been dirt I guess), and now I have a tiny crater surrounded by puffy skin, but no dots. Nothing has turn black and cauliflowery yet, but I have that damn tiny crater and puffy hard skin around it (kinda looks like a wide volcano) that will not go away. It has been only a week though.

As far as the previous question about oil pulling, you cannot find information for why it "detoxes" because it does not detox. Oil pulling is great for teeth whitening and gum issues and hairy tongue (most often confused for oral thrush) which is a bacteria issue (not yeast, though there may be a yeast build up on the tongue because of the poor shedding).

People think that somehow the vein under your tongue transports the oil into your blood which attracts toxins, causing a "herx" reaction with symptoms. These symptoms that people think are proof of detoxification include, mild headache, diarrhea, sores in the mouth, fatigue, etc. Once these "herx" symptoms go away, people feel detoxed.

Here is the thing about the Herxheimer Reaction. There is very little modern research on whether or not this reaction exists, and the older research deals with serious antibiotics used on serious diseases, like Lyme or Syphilis. Even if Sunflower Oil (which is antimicrobial) was somehow able to be absorbed into the blood stream and act as a magnet for toxins, it would not be to the degree that would cause a herx reaction. There is a confusion of bacteria with "toxins" here too. Just look this stuff up.

So the symptoms can be much more logically explained.

mild headache- you are stressing your jaw for twenty minutes. Too much vigor would cause a stress headache (mild).

Diarrhea- You are still ingesting some oil which is fat. If you have ever eaten at a high end restaurant that uses high quality butters and oils, you have probably had diarrhea to mild loose stool issues after that meal. You have lubed your tubes.

Placebo is a big deal, and if it works, awesome. The mind is a powerful tool and there is nothing wrong with a little mind over matter to get well in very minor instances of illness. Taking any action towards one's health improves one's mood. Once your body gets used to the slight increase in fat intake, and the diarrhea subsists, and you believe that you are toxin free, a boost in mood and energy (though possibly fleeting with exercise and a health diet) is guaranteed.

People also like to feel in control of uncontrollable situations, and often times these instances of supposed "control" are unhealthy bc medical advice is being ignored.

We live in a society that wants to believe unlicensed "naturopaths" over highly specialized, trained, and scientific doctors. I am not sure why it does not occur to the same people that someone is much more likely to seek a quick profit off of pseudo"natural" products that take no effort and little money to create, than scientists who dedicate hundreds of thousands of dollars, all of their time, and their careers to curing disease and preventing death (which is a pretty hopeless position to begin with considering dying is inevitable).

Just use common sense. Oil cannot pull toxins out of your body through your tongue, your intestines do not store ancient, indigestible poop, and candida has not infested your entire body causing extreme fatigue and poor digestion (eating poorly does this which is why giving up sugar eventually makes you feel better... To give up sugar one must give up many preservatives and food without nutritional value).... And science is not evil. Common sense.

Rae
(NV)
06/25/2022

Hi Erin. If this is the way you feel, why are you on this site? Most people have been failed by the so-called experts - hence the reason they are here. I personally watched "experts" literally kill my Mother and if I hadn't stepped in, they would have done the same with my Dad, all the while making mega $$$$ from their pain. I wish you luck, but don't rain on other's parade. Its just bad form!

Replied by B
(Roseburg, Oregon)
12/26/2012

Erin, I am sorry you feel that all natropaths are unlicensed. That is a far cry from the truth. The "herx" reaction is a real occurrence. One which you have obviously never felt, nor researched. I hope you never have to rely solely on your "over highly specialized, trained, and scientific doctors". Even if you eat a super healthy, clean diet, you may still have complications of oxidation/aging. It is clear that you have never suffered from any ailment that required you to seek out alternative treatments, due to your "over highly specialized, trained, and scientific doctors", failing to provide you with even a glimpse of what ails you, let alone a solution to the problem. Yes there are good Dr.s out there, just as there is good licensed natural practitioners. Generalizing this as all a placebo, and needing a "over highly specialized, trained, and scientific doctors", as you are is misleading to earth clinic readers.

Replied by Scott S
(Pen Argyl Pa)
01/05/2016

This is something I was using for another issue but it seems to be affecting the wart I've had on my finger for several years. Zinc. I take 2 - 30 mg capsules of opti-zinc split up over the day. I've been taking the zinc for about a week and the wart is significantly smaller, about half the size. If it does completely eliminate the wart, I'll still continue it for another week just to be sure the virus is completely dead.

This is something you have to be careful with. Too much zinc could be toxic. It also interferes with the absorption of other nutrients, particularly copper.

For your daughter, since she's so young and small, I'd recommend much smaller dosages. Also, don't take it around meals or with other vitamins as it may block other needed nutrients. It might also be good to supplement with some copper but not within 2 hours of taking the zinc. Don't over do the copper either. For her, 1mg a day should be more than enough.

Replied by Timh
(Ky)
01/06/2016
2041 posts

From my readings and personal experience, Erin's views on the common "herx reaction" and debunking Oil Pulling is simply very far from the truth. My O.P experience has nothing to do with oral health but everything to do with detoxification, or to be precise, elimination. As-a-matter-of-fact, back-to-back O.P. (o.t.c. commercial grade vegie oil) left my mouth contaminated w/ pathogens so I had to begin swishing Colloidal Silver fallowing. I also have been adding Grapefruitseed Extract to the oil which helps keep the pathogens killed (rarely need to swish C.S. now). I don't suppose Erin has read my post on my "Diffusion Gradient" theory for the efficacy of O.P. The volume & density of the oil in the mouth are simply many times that of those toxins stored in the lipid or fat cells in the body. Same kinda rule goes with detox foot spas. The volume of water plus the negative ionic charge of the water forces toxins to un-bond from the sites and drawn to the tub.

Now about the Zinc, along w/ small doses of copper, other accessory nutrients like Vit-A and Vit-B6 will greatly enhance the efficacy of the Zinc.

ACV, Banana Peels, Tea Tree Oil

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Posted by Megan (Long Beach, Ca) on 04/01/2010
 ★★★★★

I used Apple Cider Vinegar and banana peels to get rid of what seemed to be small flat warts on my face. They were small, round, slightly raised, and skin colored and appeared around my mouth, eyebrows, eyes, and neckline. The skin would get slightly thick and would slough off with a facial scrub, but would just grow back. Well, I looked for a treatment and found this site and decided to combine them. I first started taping small pieces of well-ripened banana peel (not too brown though) to those areas for about a week without any real progress. While keeping up with this routine I learned about ACV and tea tree oil. So, I combined about 2 cups of purified water with 1/4 or so of ACV and about 8 drops of tea tree oil. Shake very well to combine all ingredients and use as a toner after washing your face. I used the toner and then kept using the banana peels on my face over night (but did NOT use duck tape because it caused some warts on my neckline to spread adn turn light brown!) They cleared up in about 3 weeks. Just be careful - tea tree oil is potent. I wouldn't put it directly on my face. Diluting it, as in the toner above, if you are going to use it at all, especially on your face, is highly recommended.

Aloe Vera

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Posted by Dawnbeary (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) on 07/31/2016
 ★★★★★

Started with several big ole warts on hands and feet. Used apple cider vinegar with limited results. Used over the counter wart removal stuff for months on and off. Pretty much figured I would never get rid of these things. Put aloe Vera on them with bandaid and virtually gone after 2 days. Amazing.

Aloe Vera
Posted by Jay (Newquay, Cornwall, Uk) on 07/14/2012
 ★★★★★

Just wanted to share that I had many warts on my hands and had an aloe vera plant, had read somewhere they get rid of them. I had tried all the different products and just didn't get rid of them. I cut a leaf off the plant, cut it in half, put the flesh side down on the wart, covering it. Then wrapped a small bandage and tape over it, within a week they had gone!

Aloe Vera
Posted by Cathrine (Plant City, Florida, Us) on 08/12/2011
 ★★★★★

Rub the cut edge, of a piece of an Aloe vera leaf, on the planters wart 2 times a day, for 2 weeks. Cover with bandage if you wish. A small piece of a leaf cut off the plant will be enough to last for several days if you keep it in the refrigerator.
This worked for my daughter. Out of 20 of our doctors patients, this worked for 19. He had a patient with planters warts that kept returning after being removed. The patients grandmother had the remedy!

Aloe Vera
Posted by Erin (Cconcord, NC) on 07/17/2008
 ★★★★★

Just wanted to let you know that I have tried everything to get rid of a painful plantars wart that was on the bottom of my foot. I tried duct tape, ate tons of bananas, tried every OTC thing possible, even Tagament. I could hardly walk because the foot would hurt so bad. It would be red and painful by the end of the day. Finally tried aloe vera gel. I put it on one night and within two days, I noticed it did not hurt as bad. About a week later, I noticed I could walk without any pain and the wart had turned black. Almost two weeks later, the wart had dried up and I was able to take a pair of tweezers and pull it completely out. The wart is gone and my foot feels and looks normal except a little dry rough spot where the wart was, a small crater like hole where the wart was that is closing in. I am so happy and relieved as I had the wart for about four months.

Replied by Chris33456
(Hemet, Ca)
04/22/2011

Thats funny! I've had mine for about two months I started Aloe Vera about 2 days ago and have no pain at all and the wart is flat and doesnt hurt when I walk or move it hopefully it falls off soon!

Replied by J Girl
(Tampa, Fl)
05/08/2011
★★★★★

My son had at least 6 planters warts on his one foot which were painful and seemed to be multiplying in spite of all our efforts. Got some pure aloe vera gel (the whole plant not simply the inner milk/juice) at the health food store for about $12 for a small bottle and started putting that on his foot at night while he slept (no covering, just open to the air). Within 6 days they started to turn black as I read. After about 2 1/2 weeks they are all gone. Looks like a brand new foot. No pain involved in the whole process.

Apple Cider Vinegar

5 star (127) 
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Posted by Kathryn4 (Maryland) on 12/22/2024
 ★★★★★

I had some small warts frozen off my face at a dermatologist. They did say that they could come back. They did and I applied apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball on them several times a day. The dry tops just fell off and appear to be healing. They were on my forehead and itched and just caused aggravation - so thankful this remedy worked for me!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wendy (Wisconsin USA) on 08/07/2023
 ★★★★★

I had warts on my hands in the past and using topical thuja with a bandaid changing it twice a day got rid of them.

Now I had a wart on my toe and one on my finger. The thuja wasn't working so I gave ACV a try. Small piece of a cotton ball with ACV taped with a bandaid or medical tape. Changed in the morning and evening. Within a couple days the warts would turn black. I picked the black part off and kept applying ACV. Sometimes it would BURN really bad but put up with it cause it's working.

It did take a month or so to get rid of the finger one completely. it would turn black and I would peel it off. Give it a break from ACV and if it still grew back I'd do it again.

the toe one took a lot longe. Probably about 9 months to get rid of. I kept putting ACV on it for a few months then gave it break for probably a month. Went back at it and then it was finally gone after another couple weeks or so.

IT WORKS! I'm telling you. You just gotta stay consistent. Keep killing it with the ACV until you're sure it's really dead. The black might just fall off on its own or I guess you could pick it out like I did. Not sure if that's recommended tho.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bart (Columbus, USA) on 04/21/2023
 ★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar for Warts

To remove warts, lightly ruff up the wart with a finger nail file. Lightly soak a cotton ball with ACV and hold it on the wart for 20 minutes for 5 -7 days. The wart will start turning black and will be completely gone in 10 days. No scars that come from surgery.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jules (Arlington, Va) on 10/21/2021
 ★★★★★

I had a small wart appear on the side of my head. I thought I'd give ACV a try. For three nights I placed a little bit of tissue soaked with vinegar against it. By day three I noticed it was coming loose. With just a little bit of pressure the whole thing came off. Amazing!

It may have helped that it had developed only recently. I used organic ACV, with the mother.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suzanne (Washington) on 06/11/2018
 ★★★★★

I think ACV is a great way to treat issues naturally! I used it on a wart on my arm that got really dark so I became concerned. So I used ACV and after only two days of applying ACV on the spot then putting Scotch tape over it three times per day, it is nearly gone. It is white. Now I have a spot on the side of my nose that keeps bleeding and won't heal. I have a cotton ball with ACV taped to my nose and will continue with this treatment. I believe it is working.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Makaylakl10110 (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) on 03/09/2018
 ★★★★★

I have had warts for at least 6 years, and I thought that everybody had warts, but somebody at school pointed out my warts and from then on I knew warts weren't something everybody had. So I tried getting rid of them by putting on hand sanitizer, and wearing wart remover bandages, it turns out that it actually worked, but only made them smaller. I ended up googling how to get rid of warts and it Apple Cider Vinegar, so I tried it, and it worked.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Emily Lynn (Howell Nj) on 07/31/2017
 ★★★★☆

I've had this wart on my finger for almost a year now, I used ACV and it started turning black, the wart came off ( at least I think ) but the inside had a yellow daughter and the outer part of my skin is a light red and hurts a little. Should I continue putting ACV on it or let it go away on it's own .


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