Warts are small, generally harmless and
usually painless growths on the skin. Warts can be disfiguring and embarassing, however, and occasionally they
will burt or itch. The different types
of warts include the following:
Common warts: usually on the hands, but can appear anywhere
Flat warts: generally found on the face and back of the hands
Genital warts: normally found on the external genitalia, in the pubic area, and in the area between the thighs, but can appear inside the vagina and anal canal
Plantar warts: found on the soles of the feet
Warts affect all age groups. Genital warts are quite contagious, while common, flat, and plantar warts are much less likely to spread from person to person. All warts can spread from one part of the body to another. Some warts
will disappear without treatment, although it can take as long as six months to two years. Whether treated or not,
warts that disappear often reappear.
Some changes you can make in your diet include the following:
Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, refined foods and sugar
Avoid saturated fats (animal protein and dairy products)
Increase whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, and essential fatty acids (nuts, seeds, cold-water fish)
Vitamin C (1,000 to 1,500 mg three times per day), beta-carotene (100,000 IU per day), vitamin E (400 IU per day) and zing (15 to 30 mg per day) support immune function and healing
Vitamin E may also be put directly on a wart to treat it
B complex (50 to 100 mg per day) helps reduce the effects of stress, which can weaken your immune system
Folic acid (800 mcg per day) is recommended for genital warts.
Selenium (200 mcg per day) supports immune function.Herbs:
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules,
powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated,
teas should be made with 1tsp. of herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or
flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.
Combine tinctures of one part goldenseal
(Hudratis canadensis) with two parts each of the following herbs: lomatium (Lomatium dissectum), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), coneflower (Echinacea
purpurea), osha (Ligusticum porteri), and thuja leaf (Thuja occidentalis). Take 30 drops twice a day. Do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure.
Topical applications are most effective for
treating warts. Stop any topical
application if irritation should develop in the surrounding skin. For plantar, flat and common warts, use the following applications.
Suzanne's offers these solutions: