If you have noticed that you have growths on your genital skin or around your anus, then you may have genital warts. Genital wart is a very common STD (sexually transmitted disease) and it is caused by the human papilloma virus – HPV. This type of virus mostly is spread through sexual intercourse. Both men and women can suffer from this condition. Genital warts are flesh colored and soft bumps on your skin and mucus membranes of the genitals. Genital warts can appear on cervix, urethra, penis, vagina, vulva and in or around the anus. Discomfort or itching in the genital area and bleeding with intercourse are the most common symptoms of genital warts. There are many causes which can lead to genital warts such as a poor immune system, multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual activity and poor hygiene. There are many medicines which your doctor can prescribe to treat this condition. Also you can try some of the mentioned home remedies to rid of them.
Natural cures for genital warts
Onion: This natural cure is an excellent antimicrobial agent which can help to reduce the spread of this virus which is the cause for the genital warts. [1] Also it can promote better blood flow and it speed up the healing process. If you want to use it as your natural treatment for genital warts, then you should combine onion with salt. You should cut 2 onions into slices and sprinkle one teaspoon of salt over them. You should cover it and let it stay it overnight. In the next morning, you should put the onions in a sieve and press them with a spoon to extract the juice. You should apply this juice to the genital warts. You should let it stay there for one hour and then you should rinse it off using warm water and pat dry. You should repeat 2 or 3 times per day until you rid of the genital warts. This natural cure can cause you a burning sensation but it will go away quickly.
Fig leaf: This is natural cure for removing genital warts. The milky sap of the fig plant has enzyme ficain which combat the growth of the virus which causes genital warts. Also the milky sap is soothing to the skin and it helps alleviate irritation. [2] You should break open a fresh leaf to extract its milky sap. You should dab this milky sap on your affected skin and let it stay there for a few hours. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day until you notice improvements in your condition.
natural treatments for genital warts
Tea tree oil: This is a very effective home remedy for treating genital warts. It is effective home remedy because it has antiseptic and antiviral properties. [3] You should mix together 4 or 5 drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of olive or almond oil. You should this natural cure on the genital warts and let it stay there for one to 2 hours. Then, you should rinse it off with warm water. You should add a few drops of tea tree oil to warm bath water. You should soak your body in this bath for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should repeat some of the mentioned natural treatments 2 or 3 times per day until the genital wart disappear. Tea tree oil is a very strong and it should not be applied in pure form because it can lead to skin irritation.
Oatmeal: This natural cure can help you with all discomforts which are associated with genital warts. It has soothing, anti – inflammatory and anti – irritating properties that can help lessen the pain, irritation and constant itchiness which is caused by genital warts. [4] In a bathtub filled with lukewarm water you should add one to two cups of finely ground oatmeal. You should soak your body in it for 15 minutes. You should take this soothing bath up to 3 times per day, depending on the severity of your condition.
Castor oil: Castor oil is tasteless and odorless and it can be used as natural treatment for many skin problems in which are also included genital warts. Castor oil has ricinoleic acid which has antiviral and anti – inflammatory properties which can help you to treat this condition. [5] You should soak a cotton ball in cold – pressed pure castor oil. You should put the cotton ball over the genital wart and secure it with tape. You should let it stay there throughout the night. In the next morning, you should remove the cotton ball and then you should clean this area with warm water. You should gently exfoliate this area with a washcloth or loofah sponge to remove the dead skin cells. You should repeat this natural treatment every day until your genital warts become dark and eventually they fall off.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera has natural healing properties and this is a reason why often it is used as natural treatment for genital warts. Also it is rich in anti – inflammatory and antiviral properties. [6] It can soothe the skin and it will give you a relief from the itching. Cut open an Aloe Vera leaf and extract the gel from it. You should dip a cotton ball in this gel and apply it directly on the affected area. You should secure the cotton ball with a tape and let it stay there overnight. In the next morning you will remove the cotton ball and wash the gel off with warm water. You should repeat this natural treatment once per day in a period of one month or until you have noticed that genital warts are gone. Also you can drink Aloe Vera juice to boost your immune system. This will help your body quickly to fight off the virus which can cause genital warts.
Garlic: This natural cure has antiviral properties that can easily take care of the virus which causes genital warts. [7] You should crush a few garlic cloves into a fine paste. You should apply this paste on the affected skin. You should cover the area with a bandage and leave it for one or two hours. You should remove the bandage and wash this area with lukewarm water. You should repeat 2 or 3 times per day until you rid of the genital warts. Also you can take 2 garlic capsules per day until the genital warts are eliminated.
Apple cider vinegar: This is one of the most popular and highly effective home remedies for genital warts. It has acetic acid which is corrosive in nature. When it comes in contact with the affected skin, then it helps wear down the abnormal growth of the skin tissues. Also it has antiviral properties which will kill the virus which spreads the genital warts. [8] You should apply petroleum jelly on the skin surrounding the genital wart to protect the unaffected skin. You should moisten a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and apply it on the affected areas. You should use an adhesive tape to hold the cotton ball in place for 2 to 3 hours. You should remove the cotton ball and wash this area with warm water. After 30 minutes, you should repeat this process again. You should use this natural treatment 2 to 3 times per day or until the genital warts are completely gone. Also you can drink apple cider vinegar diluted in water. You should add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it every day.
Baking soda: Baking soda has anti – inflammatory and antiseptic properties which can help combat the virus which is cause for the genital wart. This natural cure is creating an unfriendly environment for the virus to survive and it helps to stop it from lingering. [9] After you had taken a shower, pat dry your body except the genitals. You should sprinkle some baking soda onto the affected area. Let it stay there overnight and wash it off in the morning. You should repeat this natural treatment every other day until your genital warts are gone. Also you can mix enough baking soda in one teaspoon of castor oil to make a thick paste. You should dab this paste onto the wart and cover this area with a bandage. You should let it stay there for a few hours and then you should remove it. You should repeat this natural treatment two times per day until the genital wart is gone.
Banana peel: When you eat bananas, then this can boost your immune system and it will fight off the virus which is causing genital warts. But also you can use banana peel to treat your genital warts. [10] This peel has strong antioxidant properties as well as many enzymes which can dissolve the genital warts properly. You should cut a piece of banana peel according to the size of your genital wart. You should place the inside of the peel against the wart and you should secure it with a bandage or tape. You should let it stay there throughout the night. You should remove the banana peel in the next morning. You should repeat this natural treatment every day in a period of few weeks or until you rid of these genital warts.
References:
[1] Santas J, Almajano MP, Carbo R. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of crude onion (Allium cepa, L.) extracts. Institute of Food Science + Technology. 2010;45(2):403-9.
[2] Mahmoudi S, Khali M, Benkhaled A, et al. Phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts from ten Algerian Ficus carica L. varieties. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2016;6(3):239-45.
[3] Alsanad S, Alkhamees O. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)-An efficient treatment for warts: Two case reports. International Archives of Biomedical and Clinical Research. 2016;2(4).
[4] Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015;14(1):43-8.
[5] Iqbal J, Zaib S, Farooq U, et al. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and free radical scavenging potential of aerial parts of Periploca aphylla and Ricinus communis. ISRN Pharmacology. 2012;2012:563267.
[6] Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2019;44(1):1–9.
[7] Mousavi ZB, Mehrabian A, Golfakhrabadi F, Namjoyan F. A clinical study of efficacy of garlic extract versus cryotherapy in the treatment of male genital wart. Dermatologica Sinica. 2018;36(4).
[8] Gaston A, Garry RF. Topical vitamin A treatment of recalcitrant common warts. Virology Journal. 2012;9.Mu
[9] U.S. Pharmacist. Advancements in HPV treatment and prevention. 2006;31(9):HS-8-HS-14.
[10] Panda SK, Fonsêca Castro AH, Jouneghani RS, et al. Antiviral and cytotoxic activity of different plant parts of banana (Musa spp.). Viruses. 2020;12(5):549.
