Forget that old wives tale about toads giving you warts; it’s the human papillomavirus that’s the true culprit!  There are an amazing 75 strains of the warty virus that are known to exist.  They cause a multitude of unsightly growths such the common warts, plantar warts and plane warts. 

Common warts like to grow on the back of your hands but can also find a home on your feet, face and neck.  Plantar wart otherwise commonly known as verruca takes root on the sole of the foot and can cause a lot of pain.  Plane or flat warts grow in colonies and are most often found on the face.

Conventional treatments include freezing them or removing them surgically.  Here are some herbal alternatives to help rid you of these warty invaders:

Celandine is a member of the poppy family and its orange-yellow sap in the roots and abover ground parts is excellent in the treatment of warts and other skin conditions.  Its qualities fight viruses, bacteria, tumours, fungi and inflammation.  Make a strong tea and dab the affected area.

Dandelion’s stems and leaves produce a milky latex that has been shown to rid some people of their warts.  Pick a dandelion and squeeze the white juice onto your wart two to three times a day until it disappears.

Pineapple is believed to help soften and remove tough warty tissue.  Try cutting a piece of pineapple husk to cover your wart and tape it to the affected area over night.  Remove each morning and reapply at bedtime.