Warts can be an unsightly embarrassment for many. Standard medical therapies for the treatment of warts include excising the wart with electrocautery, freezing it with cryotherapy, or applying topical medications. However, interesting new natural cures such as duct tape for warts, and now garlic have shown some promise against this common ailment.

In a study of 23 participants with warts, liquid garlic extract, applied twice daily, successfully treated all patients in 1-2 weeks. For corns, 80% were successfully treated by 2-3 weeks. Side effects included blisters, redness, burning and darkening of the skin. No recurrence was seen in 3-4 months of follow up.

In another small study study of five children with hand warts, a pediatrician reported success using garlic cloves. The garlic cloves were cut in half and rubbed on the wart at night. The warts were then covered with band aids, and in the morning the band aids were removed and the area washed off. All 5 patients reported improvement at 3 weeks and complete resolution of their warts by 9 weeks.

Although the mechanism why garlic may work is unclear, it may be due to due to an immune-enhancing of garlic against the wart that causes its disappearance.

MD Alert

• Do not use on infants.
• Do not use on the face or near the eyes.
• Do not use to treat genital warts.
  
• Consult your physician before starting any treatment