Warts are typically a susceptibility problem – they are viruses that some people get and other people don’t. Children are more susceptible – and burning them off doesn’t always prevent them from coming back. Warts can magically disappear just as quickly as they come, or they can multiply. They often disappear on their own with time, but if you can’t wait or it’s become a problem, a well selected homeopathic remedy can often strengthen the body and speed the healing process.
Thuja is the classic homeopathic remedy for warts and it often works, but true to homeopathic principles, it won’t work in every case. Since homeopathic medicines must suit the symptoms for it to work best, I’d recommend being discerning and choose the remedy that suits the symptoms you or your child experiences. Here are some of the top remedies used for warts, with Thuja described last – as you can see, there are quite a few, even though this is not a complete list. If you need help choosing the best fit, seek the advice of a homeopath to guide you.
Antimonium crudum is useful for hard warts that form near the ends of the fingers or toes, If they form near or under the nail, it can be quite painful. Think of Antimonium crudum for very sensitive warts on the soles of the feet. Note that hardened, thickened corns that appear easily from pressure can be helped by this remedy, though I would never casually use a homeopathic remedy for corns that appear from pressure, as the problem is in the pressure and not susceptibility. Many children need this remedy, as it’s for sensitive souls who are easily upset and can’t bear to be touched or looked at.
Causticum is a better fit for small, round warts that develop on the face. Although these warts can appear anywhere on the face, if they are near near the eyelids or on the tip of the nose, this remedy will likely help. While small, hard round warts are typical, they may also bleed easily when bumped or injured and then become painful. Another place that is common is the end of the fingertips.
Calcarea Carbonica is another remedy for those small round warts that appear on the face, especially in children. Since Calcarea carbonica is one of those remedies with a wide array of symptoms, you often need to look at general symptoms to know it’s a good fit. Children who need this remedy typically sweat easily, especially on the scalp or at the back of the head when they’re exerting themselves and/or when they fall asleep, even thought they tend to be chilly rather than hot. It’s for kids who tend toward less activity, prefer to stay at home and do activities at their own pace.
Dulcamara, also known as Solanum dulcamara, is a specific homeopathic remedy for those large very flat and smooth warts that may appear anywhere on the body, especially on the palms of the hands. If Causticum hasn’t helped warts that occur on the face, also consider Dulcamara. Or if wet weather aggravates the person or child, then Dulcamara is your remedy.
Silicea is another homeopathic medicine that can be considered for warts, especially warts that are hard and develop slowly but don’t go away easily. It is a remedy for plantar warts on the feet, especially if the feet sweat easily but are cold and clammy (like Calcarea carbonica). Think of Silicea whenever the body is weaker and symptoms develop slowly.
Thuja can be used when other remedies don’t suit, as it can help all types of warts, but the typical type is a fleshy, sensitive wart that burns, itches or bleeds easily. If the warts have a stem or look like a cauliflower, the try Thuja first. They can also be moist. Thuja can also help plantar warts that are painful, although also consider Antimonium crudum and Silicea if they are hard.
Dosages: Since warts don’t come and go in a day, don’t expect miracles. While the 30ch potency is often the easiest to purchase, in a case of warts, lower potencies will likely work better. Choose the best fitting remedy in a 6ch potency and repeat twice daily for a month. Or if you already have a 30ch potency, give daily for three days and then weekly. If there’s no change within a couple of weeks, switch to the next suitable remedy.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of remedies for warts and in homeopathy, the remedy must fit the symptoms in order to work. If you’re not experiencing relief with the remedies suggested here or you have other symptoms that suggest you need a constitutional remedy, seek the advice a homeopath to guide you through the symptom picture to find a good fit. A case series that was written up in the Homeopathic Links Journal in April, 2024 shows a complete resolution of 8 cases of warts with no recurrences within a four month period. The homeopathic medicines were all individualized, so each of the patients were given different remedies according to the symptoms they experienced. Unfortunately other studies using double blind placebo controls using homeopathy for warts were not carried out using the individualized method and so the results were inconclusive. Hopefully more studies will be conducted soon!