Often used in alternative medicine, tea tree oil is thought to have some antimicrobial properties. This means it may be an effective treatment for warts.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is well known for its strong smell and antimicrobial properties.

Read on to learn about the research into the potential effectiveness of tea tree oil in treating warts (verruca vulgaris).

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. The aboriginal people of Australia have long used it to treat wounds and infections. Today, it’s found in many topical beauty products such as moisturizers, shampoos, and soaps.

Tea tree oil is commonly used to treat conditions like acne and fungal infections. As tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, many manufacturers include it in products such as hand soaps, cleansers, and antibacterial gels.

Studies have found that the oil may be effective in fighting bacteriophages, viruses that attack bacteria, tobacco mosaic virus, herpes simplex (cold sore), COVID-19, and influenza (flu).

Most of the studies involved test tube samples or animals, so more research in humans is needed to confirm these findings. But there is some evidence that it may help treat warts, which are caused by more than 100 different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Warts are bumpy growths on the skin. They’re common in children and teenagers but can occur at any age. Many people get warts on their hands, genitals, or feet (plantar warts).

Warts are harmless but can be painful. Left untreated, they can take up to 2 years to disappear. While there are traditional treatments for warts, there are also some alternative remedies. One such remedy is tea tree oil, which appears to be effective against the condition.

A 2023 meta-analysis analyzed four studies of five patients with warts who were self-treated with tea tree oil. In all studies, the participants reported that the warts completely went away after the treatment. That said, these findings were limited by the small number of included studies and the small sample size of participants.

Another 2023 study examined the effects of tea tree oil on warts compared with salicylic acid, finding similarly favorable results with both treatments. In a 2022 case report, a female with hand warts applied diluted tea tree oil to her warts every day. In the first week, she found that her pain increased, and she reduced the frequency to every other day. By day 21, her warts had completely cleared, leaving her free of pain and scarring.

That said, more research is needed to test tea tree oil on warts in people.

Tea tree oil can be found in several different concentrations, including 5%, 10%, and 100%. If you buy 100% tea tree oil extract, dilute 3 to 6 drops of the oil in 1 ounce (oz) of carrier oil like coconut oil. You can also dilute it into salicylic acid cream.

Soak a cotton ball in the solution and hold it on your wart for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat 2 or 3 times per day. Alternatively, tape the cotton ball to your wart and let it sit overnight.

Alternatively, consider mixing one part tea tree oil with one part eucalyptus oil or sandalwood oil.

The combination with eucalyptus may be effective against certain viruses like herpes, though it hasn’t been studied on warts. In a 2018 study, researchers found sandalwood oil by itself to be effective against warts in 10 subjects. There’s no conclusive evidence for this, but combining it with tea tree oil may be beneficial.

Apply the mixture to a cotton ball or gauze pad and secure it to your wart with a bandage. Use this concoction nightly until the wart disappears.

Never ingest tea tree oil. Swallowing it is dangerous and can lead to confusion and loss of muscle coordination.

If you store tea tree oil properly and don’t use it past its expiration date, you should be able to use it safely for minor skin conditions without side effects. That said, some people can experience skin irritation or allergy symptoms.

It’s a good idea to do a small patch test on healthy skin before using tea tree oil on your wart. Apply tea tree oil directly to your forearm and watch it for at least 24 hours. If you develop a rash or another skin irritation, discontinue use.

Most warts go away on their own, with or without treatment.

That said, regardless of whether you choose to try alternative remedies like tea tree oil, you may wish to call your doctor if your wart becomes painful or grows inward. A dermatologist can perform an easy, in-office freezing procedure to remove your wart.

If your wart doesn’t go away after a few weeks of home treatment, you should also consult a doctor.

Warts are not dangerous, but they can be unsightly, annoying, and painful. You have many options when it comes to wart treatments.

Tea tree oil may be a potential remedy, but ask your dermatologist before trying it on your warts. Also, speak with your doctor if it doesn’t seem to be working.