As with several other homeopathic remedies, many people have been using oregano oil for warts for several years with little scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. In fact, while some research has been done on the antibiotic and antifungal properties of oregano oil, as of 2011 there has been no research done on its use for warts. The research that has been done, however, does suggest that the oregano oil may in fact be at least partially useful for warts — if it does not eliminate them altogether.
Very little research has been done on oregano oil, and as of 2011 there is no research on the effectiveness of oregano oil for warts. Research that has been done on the oil centers on its antifungal and antibacterial properties. The conclusions of the studies suggest oregano oil has potential in fighting both fungal and bacterial infections. Oregano oil may also fight parasitic infections in the gastrointestinal system. As such, according to some medical professionals, the suggestion that oregano oil may be effective in wart removal is not impossible.
It is the carvacrol in oregano oil that suggests it may be beneficial for treating most types of warts. Carvacrol is a very strong antibacterial that has been shown in some studies to help combat numerous conditions. The level of concentration in this antibiotic needed in order to make oregano oil effective for treating warts is anywhere between 62 percent and 85 percent. Higher concentrations are rare to find and may not be any more effective.
There are many different suggestions for an effective oregano oil dose. One suggestion is to dilute the oregano oil with a carrier oil to lessen the abrasiveness of the oil, which may cause burning when in undiluted contact with the skin. The typical dilution is 1 teaspoon of oregano oil with 8 teaspoons of either sweet almond oil or coconut oil. Typically, the dilution should be applied four times a day, and results are normally seen within a week.
One other popular suggestion for the most effective use of oregano oil for warts is to apply it directly on the wart, while making sure that as little of the oil goes on the surrounding skin as possible. Some suggest that a couple of drops be applied directly on the warts. Others recommend a cotton ball be soaked in the oil and left on the warts for an extended period of time. Normally, direct application of oregano oil requires only two doses each day with the wart disappearing within weeks. As with all treatments, doctor consultation is recommended prior to any attempts of using oregano oil for warts.