9 Herbal Remedies For Papillomavirus: Natural Ways To Alleviate HPV Symptoms

A sexually transmitted infection called genital warts caused by papillomavirus is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causing genital warts infects nearly every sexually active person at some point. 

If left untreated, this infection can lead to severe complications regarding fertility. Vaccination is now available to reduce the occurrence of genital warts. Besides medical treatments, some herbal remedies can also help treat this condition. Here we will discuss all herbal remedies for papillomavirus-causing genital warts in detail, so keep reading.

What Do You Mean By Papillomavirus?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the virus causing the formation of warts on the skin of different body parts. The infection caused by HPV is known as HPV infection. More than 120 strains of HPV have been recognized as responsible for the formation of the warts. The low-risk types (lrHPV) 6 and 11 strains are mainly responsible for causing genital warts. These HPV strains cannot progress into cancer.

HPV, including the strains causing genital warts, is usually transmitted through sexual activities or skin-to-skin contact. Vaccinations are available to prevent the infection caused by HPV, resulting in genital warts.

Symptoms Of Papillomavirus

Papillomavirus can have different symptoms depending on the location and the type of HPV infection the person is suffering from. Here our main concern is genital warts caused by papillomavirus, so let’s find out the symptoms of this type of HPV infection.

In females, genital warts may occur on the vulva, the vaginal wall, the external genitalia and anus, the anal canal, and the cervix. Men may develop them on the scrotum, anus, or tip of the penis. In addition to developing in the genital area, warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with someone infected.

Genital warts can be too small and flat to be visible. Other HPV infections affecting the genitals can involve the below-mentioned symptoms.

• Swelling in your genital area that is flesh-colored, brown, or pink
• Your genital area may be itchy or uncomfortable
• During intercourse, bleeding occurs

You may like to read: 8 Natural Remedies For Vaginal Prolapse: How To Recovery Vaginal Prolapse Naturally?

Causes Of Papillomavirus

HPV infection causes genital warts to spread through sexual contact. It is estimated that more than 40 HPV strains affect the genital area. You can transmit the infection to your partner even if your warts are not visible.

Herbal Remedies For Papillomavirus

Some herbal remedies can help patients cure genital warts caused by HPV infection. Let’s have a look at these herbal remedies for papillomavirus in detail.

Try Tea Tree Oil

Also known as melaleuca oil. Tea tree oil is the essential oil extracted from the leaves of Australian tea trees. When used topically, tea tree oil is used for many purposes, including warts. The efficacy of tea tree oil in treating genital warts is not proven scientifically. But limited studies have found that it can work for patients with genital warts be alleviating related skin conditions. 

Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties. It mainly works against fungi infections. But it is also found efficient against certain virus varieties as well. Before applying this oil on genital warts, must dilute it with any carrier oil such as almond or coconut oil. Take one drop of tea tree oil and 1 to 2 drops of carrier oil and mix both oils properly. Then, apply this diluted oil to the warts. 

Never apply tea tree oil without dilution; otherwise, burning and inflammation can occur. Also, some people are allergic to tea tree oil. To find out whether you are allergic, apply a few drops of diluted tea tree oil on less sensitive skin, such as arm skin, and notice if any redness, soreness, inflammation, or burning sensation arises. If you notice these symptoms, avoid using this herbal remedy for genital warts.

Tea tree oil is only for topical use. Avoid its oral use. Don’t try to administer it through the vaginal route. Just dilute the oil and apply it topically on the skin containing the warts. Continue repeating the process until you notice a significant decrease in the size of the warts.

Try Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is one of the popular herbal remedies for alleviating different skin conditions. This herbal remedy produces mild action on the skin. Therefore, its risk of causing damage to the skin is less. Here’re given some properties of witch hazel that make it effective for treating genital warts.

• Witch hazel has antiviral properties. It might work effectively against the HPV type 16 virus (one of the strains of HPV virus causing genital warts). But the scientific evidence proofing its effectiveness against genital warts is not enough.

• This herbal remedy has anti-inflammatory properties. By alleviating the inflammation, witch hazel can reduce the warts’ severity and the patient’s discomfort.

• Witch hazel offers astringent properties. As a result of shrinking or constricting the body’s tissue, warts can be eliminated.

Try Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be another remedy for treating genital warts. The acidic nature of this vinegar makes it effective against virus-causing genital warts. However, evidence proofing the efficacy of apple cider vinegar against genital warts is not enough. You can use this remedy by using a cotton ball and then applying apple cider vinegar to the area containing the warts.

Try Garlic

Some studies have found that garlic can also be effective against genital warts. But evidence showing garlic’s efficacy for treating genital warts is limited. Patients can try this herbal remedy by purchasing the garlic extract from the market and applying it directly to the warts. The other way of applying garlic is to prepare the mixture of garlic by adding oil to it. Use gauze pads or cotton to apply this mixture on the warts.

Try Green Tea

Green tea extract has been proven to be effective against genital warts. This herbal remedy is usually prescribed to patients in the form of ointment. An ointment known as sinecatechins (Veregen) contains green tea extract in the form of compounds. This ointment is known to work efficiently against genital warts.

You can get this herbal ointment from nearby medical stores. Apply it on the warts after adding a few drops of carrier oil, such as coconut oil.

Try Castor Oil

Castor oil can also be a helpful herbal remedy for curing genital warts. It is because of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties offered by castor oil. Studies have shown castor oil also improves localized blood flow and helps remove damaged skin.

But there is a lack of research and evidence showing the efficacy of castor oil in treating genital warts. Still, if you want to try this remedy, you can apply the thin layer of castor oil on the warts at night before going to bed. Leave the oil the whole night and wash it in the morning. Continue repeating the same process for a few days and notice if there are any improvements in your symptoms or not.

Try Olive Oil

Due to its anti-viral properties, olive oil can also be used as an herbal remedy for genital warts. It mainly works by interfering with the production of the amino acids in the viruses, which further help restrict their growth. It can penetrate the viral bodies causing the infection and stop replication, which is useful in alleviating the infectious symptoms.

However, no research has been found to show the healing properties of olive oil for genital warts. There is a need for more studies to be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of olive oil for genital warts. 

Try Fig Leaves Extract

Some studies have found that fig leaf extract has antiviral properties, which can help treat genital warts. Particularly fig milk (extract of the sap from fig plant) offers potent antiviral abilities to cure infectious diseases. Some unique components, known as flavonoids, are present in fig leaf extract, which help fight against viral infections.

But like some other herbal remedies, fig leaf extract is also scientifically proven to be effective in treating genital warts. If you want to try this remedy for alleviating genital warts, you have to break the fig leaf to extract the milky sap. Apply this extract to the genital warts. Repeat this process twice a day and notice if you experience any improvements in your symptoms.

Try Dandelion

Dandelion has been used as a popular herbal remedy for treating many health ailments. There are certain chemical components known as phytochemicals, which offer potent abilities to reduce infectious symptoms; limited studies have shown that dandelion extract can prevent the proliferation of the viral bodies, thus preventing their spread in the body.

To use this herbal remedy for genital warts, take the stem or roots of the dandelion and break them to get milky sap. Apply this sap on the warts at least twice a day. You can repeat the process for a week and more. 

Is There Any Permanent Treatment For Papillomavirus?

Medications and surgery can be recommended depending on the severity and the symptoms of genital warts. But, as the viral attack causes these warts, they can appear again even after getting cured through medications. Let’s look at the conventional medications often prescribed to patients with genital warts.

Surgery is prescribed in cases when genital warts do not respond to medications. Also, when genital warts are larger in size, surgery is considered an efficient treatment option.

Conclusion

Now, you must be all aware of the herbal remedies for papillomavirus.

All the remedies we discussed above can help in alleviating HPV infection-related symptoms. But, many of them are not scientifically proven to be effective against genital warts. There is a need for more study and research to conclude the efficacy of herbal remedies in eliminating warts. If you notice your symptoms are not improving with herbal remedies, you must seek medical treatment to treat your condition effectively.