• Users Online: 6779
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page
Home About us Editorial board Ahead of print Current issue Search Archives Submit article Instructions Subscribe Contacts Login 


 
 Table of Contents  
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Year : 2016  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 45-47

Homeopathic management of warts


Holistic Child Care Centre, Spandan Holistic Institute of Applied Homeopathy, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Date of Web Publication15-Jun-2016

Correspondence Address:
Piyush Mahendra Oza
Make My Health Clinic, 1st Floor, #17, Kanti Mahal, Plot No. 545, Tejookaya Park, Dr. B. Ambedkar Road, Matunga (C.R.), Mumbai - 400 019, Maharashtra
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2455-3972.184085

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 


Warts are classified under one sided diseases as external local maladies. They often have individualistic and immunological basis as also familial tendencies. Warts are included under miasm sycosis. Although warts are local diseases, they are treated with internal remedy which is based on comprehensive understanding of the patient. This includes local symptoms, i.e. morphology and location of lesion, mental makeup of the person, and physical characteristics. This is what is called totality of symptoms. A constitutional remedy thus selected eradicates the complaint locally as well as internally, thereby providing long lasting relief from complaints. Common remedies include Calcarea carbonica, Causticum, Dulcamara, Natrum muriaticum, Nitric acidum, and Thuja occidentalis. Homeopathic concept and homeopathic treatment of warts has been described.

Keywords: Homeopathy, internal medicine, totality of symptoms, warts


How to cite this article:
Oza PM. Homeopathic management of warts. Indian J Drugs Dermatol 2016;2:45-7

How to cite this URL:
Oza PM. Homeopathic management of warts. Indian J Drugs Dermatol [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 29];2:45-7. Available from: https://www.ijdd.in/text.asp?2016/2/1/45/184085




  Introduction Top


As we know, skin is the mirror of the soul! This understanding forms the basis of homeopathic management of skin disorders.

In modern medicine, warts are understood to be caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus. Warts commonly appear on hands, feet, as well as on other areas of skin and mucous membranes.[1]

Warts are categorized on the basis of location, namely, common warts (around nails and fingers), foot warts, and genital warts. They are also understood on the basis of their morphology and texture, namely, soft, hard, flat, smooth, rough, scaly, etc. These are contagious and can spread from direct skin contact.

Warts are of diagnostic value to us in distinguishing between different stages of disease. The verruca vulgaris is found in children who are suffering with hereditary sycosis; they appear at or about the second dentition. The verruca filiformis comes as a tertiary lesion in an acquired form of sycosis. The verruca plana juvenilis is another hereditary form found more or less upon the back of hands and faces of children and young people. They are usually pigmented, disseminated, and in irregular unilateral groups.[2]

Some people are just more likely to contract warts than others, just like some people catch colds more easily than others do. Weakened immune systems, lack of adequate rest, poor nutrition, increased stress, and close living quarters can also contribute to catching the wart virus.[3]

This means that warts too have an individualistic and immunological basis.


  Homeopathic Concept Top


As a principle, homeopathic treatment is based on understanding of the patient as a whole which includes external signs and symptoms, mental makeup, and general physical state. This is what is called totality of symptoms. Barring types of local diseases such as minor external injuries that require a localized treatment, all other illnesses need an internal medicine which is based on comprehensive understanding of the patient as a whole.

In homeopathic system, warts are classified under one-sided disease, i.e., diseases which have very few expressions in terms of symptoms. Under this, it is further categorized under external-local maladies.

Chronic diseases are classified into three main categories of miasms, namely, psora (itch), sycosis (condyloma), and syphilis (chancre or bubo). Warts come under sycosis miasm.

Local malady signifies that a visible change is localized to a particular part of the body. Any disturbance in nature of a dynamic change is never confined to a specific part of the organism in the sense that the body does not participate in the dynamic change produced by any means.[4]

This explains why only some people are affected by the virus, whereas others do not. Homeopathic science believes the there is an internal propensity to diseases along with external virulence. This is further reiterated by immunological basis in cases of warts. We commonly witness families having propensity for growths, warts, etc., These tendencies are termed miasms, in this case sycotic.

Founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann states that by means of this medicine, employed only internally, the general morbid state of the body is removed along with the local affection and the latter is cured at the same time as the former, proving that the local affection depended solely on a disease of the rest of the body, and should only be regarded as an inseparable part of the whole, as one of the most considerable and striking symptoms of the disease.[5]

He also advises against use of topical application in local disease expressions. Since this often results in disappearance of external disease but internal; disease remains intact, thereby obscuring a complete picture.[6] Suppression, thus caused is certain to be replacing it by some other disturbance or manifestation of sycosis.

However, in case of warts, if these have existed for sometime without treatment, for a perfect cure, external application of their specific medicine as well as their internal use can be done at the same time.[7]


  Therapeutics Top


Homeopathic treatment of warts is largely through constitutional medicine, i.e., medicine selected on the basis of comprehensive understanding of the patient.

As there are very few or no symptoms, morphology and location of the lesion can be considered in the selection of the medicine.

Treatment is with a single well indicated remedy based on complete totality of symptoms. We often come across patients and practitioners using Thuja or a combination of various drugs for warts. However, this is not in accordance to the principles and guidelines laid down.

A Canadian study on the treatment of plantar warts is one such example. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 162 patients prescribed three medicines to each patient (Because the trial did not mix the remedies together, it is not completely accurate to call the use of these remedies a combination. It is more precise to consider it “polypharmacy,” the use of several medicines). The remedies used were Thuja 30c, antimonium crud 7c, and nitric acid 7c. Thuja was taken once a week and the other two remedies were taken once a day.

The trial lasted 6 weeks. The results showed that there was no noticeable difference between those subjects given the homeopathic medicines and those given a placebo.

Many homeopaths may be initially surprised at the result of this trial because they consider these remedies commonly effective in the treatment of warts. But while the remedies may be effective for treating warts, they are not necessarily effective for all types of warts or in all people. A recent study of homeopathic treatment for various types of warts found that 18 of 19 people with plantar warts were cured in, on average, 2.2 months. The most common remedy was Ruta, prescribed to 12 of the 19 patients. Thuja was prescribed for only 3 patients, and antimonium crud was prescribed for two patients.

This study teaches us that individualization and the use of well-chosen remedies are necessary for most effective treatment.[8]

Homeopathic repertory lists a number of drugs for management of warts, namely, Calcarea carbonica, Causticum, Dulcamara, Natrum muriaticum, Nitric acidum, Thuja occidentalis, etc.

  • Calcarea carbonica: Calcarea carbonica is indicated in warts which may be fleshy, horny, painful, and offensive. Patient is usually chilly, lazy and indolent, and fearsome
  • Causticum: Causticum is indicated in old, pedunculated warts, suppurating with great sensitivity to touch. Hard, horny warts that bleed easily. Deep burns and their effects. Patient is sympathetic and anxious
  • Dulcamara: Dulcamara is indicated in flat and hard warts located on backs of hands and face. Also indicated in Homeopathic management of large warts. Patient is worse in cold, damp weather, or humidity
  • Natrum muriaticum: Warts on palms and fingers. Patient is sensitive, sentimental, reserved, and resentful. They also have marked craving for salt
  • Nitric acidum: Nitric acidum is large, fissured warts that itch and sting or bleed upon washing. This remedy is also indicated for people who are anxious about health and worry about cancer. Often useful for warts that have a horny wall surrounding a central depression or the more common plantar wart
  • Thuja occidentalis: The most common homeopathic remedy for various kinds of warts. Thuja is indicated in isolated, jagged warts that smell or bleed easily or mosaic warts on the sole of the foot. It is commonly needed for genital warts.[9]


There are number of other drugs apart from those mentioned above. Here are some illustrations:

  1. Mast S, a 10-year-old boy presented with warts on his fingers. He kept having a new crop of warts about every 15 days. Lesions were flat as well as rough, and some of them grew large and horny. He was highly embarrassed and parents were extremely anxious. He also suffered from recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Further details indicated that he was over mature for his age, smart, outspoken. He was also extremely demanding and irritable boy. He had marked craving for sweets, and his thermal state was hot. Based on comprehensive understanding, he was prescribed Lycopodium clavatum 200. Within 3 months, there was a complete improvement in lesions. There was also remarkable improvement in his immunity as well as behavior
  2. Mr A. Preported for wart on his forehead and fingers. He was also depressed due to financial setback. Basically, he is very reserved, impulsive, and resentful person. He completely improved with Natrum muriaticum 10M.


Above illustrations highlight improvement not only in warts but also comorbidities and overall immunity. Thereby, we see a much more long-lasting relief in warts. Both these cases did not require any external measures.

Acknowledgement

Author expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Vijaya Patil for her support.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

 
  References Top

1.
Mayo Clinic. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-warts/basics/causes/con-20021715. [Last accessed on 2016 Jan 20].  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Allen JH. The Chronic Miasms. Vol. 2. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2007. p. 65.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, McKinley Health Center. Available from: http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/warts.html. [Last accessed on 2016 Jan 20].  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Sarkar BK. Organon of Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann with Introduction and Commentary on Text. Kolkata: M. Bhattacharya and Co. (P) Ltd.; 1980. p. 408.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. Reprint. 6th ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1983. p. 236.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1983. p. 238.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1983. p. 305.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Ullman D. (© 1995), Scientific Evidence for Homeopathic Medicine, Excerpted from Consumer's Guide to Homeopathy, (Tarcher/Putnam). Available from: http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_pro/research_3.html. [Last accessed on 2016 Jan 20].  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Hpathy Ezine, May 13, 2014. Available from: http://www.treatment.hpathy.com/homeo-medicine/homeopathy-warts/2/. [Last accessed on 2016 Jan 20].  Back to cited text no. 9
    



This article has been cited by
1 Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine Resolved Multiple Recalcitrant Verruca Vulgaris: An Evidence-Based Case Report
Rajib Purkait, Abhiram Banerjee, Gurudev Choubey
Homœopathic Links. 2023;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Homoeopathic Simillimum in Treatment of Verruca Plana (Flat Wart): A Case Report
Tanmoy Maity
Homœopathic Links. 2022; 35(03): 191
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 A Co-morbid Condition of Warts and Vitiligo Treated with Individualized Homeopathy: An Evidence-Based Case Report
Akhyaya Kumar Prusty, Preeti Bhandari
Homeopathy. 2021;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 Homoeopathic treatment of viral warts with Calcarea phosphorica
Nidhi Mahajan,Ashish Mahajan,Aditi Bhinda,Sapna Salodiya
Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy. 2020; 14(4): 279
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
Access Statistics
Email Alert *
Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Homeopathic Concept
Therapeutics
References

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed217264    
    Printed737    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded917    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 4    

Recommend this journal


[TAG2]
[TAG3]
[TAG4]