Get Rid of Warts, Moles, and Skin Tags With Castor Oil and Baking Soda

Trying to Get Rid of Moles?

I’ve probably removed a dozen moles and innumerable skin tags using castor oil and baking soda. Frankly, I’ve lost count of the moles and skin tags I've done away with in numerous batches.

Always consult with a licensed medical professional or dermatologist before removing skin growths at home.

Discutient Effects of Castor Oil

Medical-Dictionary defines "discutient" as a remedy that scatters or causes a lesion or tumor to disappear. This means a discutient is potentially capable of dissolving tumors, abnormal growths, swellings, and cysts. Castor oil is a discutient. For some inexplicable reason to me, the addition of baking soda makes this remedy more effective.

Removing Moles and Skin Tags with Castor Oil and Baking Soda

Moles and skin tags can potentially be removed by applying a drop of castor oil, mixed with a pinch of baking soda to them twice daily, morning and night. Even once daily works, though it may take a bit longer. Continue the application until the mole or skin tag is gone. If you have many skin tags over a large area of your skin, just apply the castor oil mixture to the whole area.

Don’t worry if you forget to use it once in a while.

Origins of the Castor Oil-Baking Soda Remedy

I first ran across this remedy in Edgar Cayce’s Encyclopedia of Healing. Cayce suggested both using castor oil alone and occasionally mixing it with a pinch of baking soda before applying. I have used castor oil alone, but many times using it on myself I have switched to castor oil mixed with baking soda out of impatience. It's possible that baking soda speeds up the process.

This is a very old remedy known to many of our foremothers. Back in the early 1980s when I first tried it, I mentioned it to our elderly neighbor, Mrs. Hollingsworth, who was in her '80s at the time.

She replied, “Oh, yes. Whenever I get a mole or a growth, I just put castor oil on it till it goes away.”

I suspect this is a very old “granny” remedy, and I am told that it used to be common to apply castor oil to any growths on cows’ udders to remove them.

How Long Does It Take?

Some moles take longer than others. Based on my experience, the maximum amount of time it takes for a mole to disappear is two months. I say this because that is the longest it ever took me. Some small, superficial moles will disappear in as little as one month.

The Dissipation Process

• For four to six weeks, you will probably see little or no change.
• After six weeks or so, if the mole is one of the large, prominent, “raspberry” types, it will begin to shrivel. Superficial moles will dry up so that they look like scabs of dead skin. They will fall off too, or you can scratch them off, as you would a scab. You may notice a small indentation in the skin where the mole used to be, but this will heal without leaving a mark.
• At the very end, it will dry up and flatten out so that it looks like a small raisin that someone stepped on. You will notice that the mole is practically hanging by a thread to the skin.
• The mole or skin tag will then fall off.

Tips and Tricks for Using Castor Oil on Skin Tags and Moles

If you are removing numerous skin tags over a large area, you will probably not see changes in the skin tags, and will likely not notice that some are gone. The day will come when you apply the castor oil mixture and realize that you don’t feel the skin tags anymore; all of them are gone and the skin feels smooth.

It may be possible to hasten this process by applying a drop of the castor oil mixture and covering the mole with a band-aid so that the castor oil doesn’t rub off and is in continuous contact with the mole.

I think you’ll be surprised and delighted if you try this old-time method.

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Questions & Answers

Question: I have a large raised mole on my face I'm using castor oil and baking soda on. It has been a little over a week. The mole is sore and scabbing a bit on the outside. Is this normal?

Answer: I have never known of soreness or scabbing to occur using this method. I would suggest you see a doctor.

Question: Will moles that are flat disappear with castor oil and baking soda?

Answer: Yes.

Question: How long will it take to remove a wart?

Answer: The time varies, but a wart usually goes away in two months or less.

Question: What kind of castor oil should I use to get rid of skin tags?

Answer: While there are several kinds of castor oil, in this article I'm referring to the "regular" kind that you can buy at Wal-Mart or any drug store.

Question: Would caster oil alone be enough to get rid of flat moles?

Answer: I think castor oil alone will work. (I have never tried castor oil alone.) I think the baking soda just speeds up the process.

Question: How long do I leave the Castor Oil and Baking Soda mixture on the skin tag before I wash it off?

Answer: It's best to leave it on continually, and not wash off. The next time you shower, re-apply.

Question: Will removing warts, moles and skin tags with castor oil and baking soda leave a scar? If so, what can you refer to remove the scar?

Answer: I have never found removing a mole with castor oil to leave a scar. There may be a red spot for a few days, but if there is the redness will fade quickly.

Question: I've been using this method to remove moles for about a month. Lately, I noticed a "peel" growing on the moles I'm treating. My question is: should I peel it off or wait until my mole turns into a scab like you mentioned? Does it mean the moles are close to falling off?

Answer: It's hard to say where you are in the process, as the amount of time can vary. It's probably best not to "pick at" the mole, but I think gentle exfoliation would be fine.

Question: Can I pre-mix the castor oil and baking soda and what would be the "shelf life" if I pre-mix?

Answer: The only issue I can see is that baking soda, especially if the box has been opened, will draw some moisture from the air. One way you can tell that baking soda has some moisture in it is that it becomes lumpy. There is probably some moisture content even in an unopened box of baking soda.

Neither baking soda nor castor oil is attractive to bacteria. Moisture, on the other hand, is attractive to bacteria. This is why, in cosmetic formulation, any product that contains water must also contain a preservative. Normally, it is suggested that any formulation that contains water should be kept refrigerated and used up within two days.

Since there is a risk of moisture contamination, I would not suggest pre-mixing. Also, I can see very little advantage in doing so.

Question: Does castor oil and baking soda work for freckles & beauty spots that are inside skin & are not touchable?

Answer: I don't believe it does. There are a few topical applications that are claimed to help with freckles, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. These would include chemical peels (usually glycolic acid--easy to do at home), and various skin lightening products. I've found that glycolic acid peels have done little to reduce hyperpigmentation. I'm not sure how well skin-lightening products would work as spot applications.

My understanding--and I'm no expert--is that these types of discoloration are best corrected with micro-needling. You can buy micro-needling kits for home use, and I'm told they're fairly inexpensive. They are also said to reduce the appearance of scars. I've never gotten around to trying this--I fear I don't have the patience--but I may have to do so some time soon.

Question: Do you know if this would work on other types of growths such as seborrheic keratoses?

Answer: I don't believe it would. I looked into this at one time--though I'm not sure what type of keratosis I looked into. One common suggestion was to apply apple cider vinegar. You might try googling that.

Question: Any chance of this remedy, with the baking soda, removing wrinkles?

Answer: I would say no chance at all. However, there are many skin care products that help reduce "the appearance of" wrinkles. I think exfoliation--especially using glycolic acid peels--helps. There are several fine cosmetic oils that nourish the skin, and moisturizing will plump up the skin to diminish wrinkles.

I like the 7% glycolic acid toner from The Ordinary for basic moisturizing. Over that (at night) I apply an oil serum that is a blend of oils like rose hip, pomegranate seed, sea buckthorn, and some others. You can also apply such popular serums as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and Vitamin C. Micro-needling is also often suggested.

A good skin care routine can work wonders.

Question: If I don’t want to use baking soda and just use castor oil, as the baking soda dries up overnight creating red marks on my face, would it take longer and would it be as effective?

Answer: Many people are sensitive to baking soda. I think castor oil alone would be effective--though it might take a bit longer.

Question: Can I lower the amount of baking soda to remove my mole? Will it still work?

Answer: I am pretty sure that castor oil alone will work. But baking soda does seem to speed things up.

Question: For the process described in this article, are you talking about cold-pressed or regular castor oil for moles on your face?

Answer: I have always used regular castor oil, but I don't see why cold-pressed wouldn't work.

Comments

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on May 07, 2020:

I have never had a mole that I removed with castor oil and baking soda come back.

Many years ago, I had two large moles surgically removed and one started to come back about ten years later. I removed that one with castor oil and baking soda and it has not come back, as of about 30 years later.

Teresa on May 06, 2020:

I wonder about the root of a mole. When removed with castor oil and baking soda, does it come back since the roots are not killed?

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on March 04, 2020:

Tea tree oil--or any other essential oil--will blend easily with castor oil or any other carrier oil.

It may be that there are some essential oils that help to remove moles, though I know of none. But I haven't researched this, either.

Kannauj Attar on March 03, 2020:

Castor oil is good but it is still a carrier oil. It will work more fine if we mix some essential oil in it. How about tea tree oil: https://www.kannaujattar.com/product/tea-tree-esse... ? Will it blend well with castor oil?

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on February 10, 2020:

Almost all drug stores carry castor oil. Walmart also carries it in the pharmacy section. I would order online only if I needed large quantities. (I order by the gallon for soap making, but you will need only a small bottle.)

Danika Deltoro on February 09, 2020:

Thank you for your post. I have been wanting to find a natural/ nonsurgical way of removing some moles that I just hate. I am looking forward to giving this a try. I don't know where to get castor oil... I live in a very small town, can I order from like bulkapothecary.com? Thanks so much

Anita Hasch from Port Elizabeth on December 02, 2017:

Such helpful information. I have discovered such interesting facts about the health benefits of herbs and natural medicine. After the death of my husband and soul mate I started reading everything I could about natural cures especially for cancer.

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on December 01, 2017:

Many people have had success using castor oil for hair growth--meaning not only to encourage hair to grow but also to get thinning hair to grow back in, including eyebrows and eyelashes.

You don't need baking soda for this. You can use plain castor oil.

What I do is to apply castor oil to my hair about once a week as a hair mask. Leave it on for a couple of hours or overnight and wash out.

This seems to work well for some people, but not necessarily for everyone. I think it has helped my hair thicken to some extent, and also somewhat restored my eyebrows (which were mostly gone). I am 70, so it may be too late for me.

There are some other oils that are claimed to help restore thinning hair. One of these is black cumin seed oil, which is probably the best documented. You could blend castor oil and black cumin seed oil for a hair mask, if you wanted to get all crazy. Also, some essential oils are said to encourage hair growth and re-growth: cedarwood, thyme, and/or lavender are often suggested. Rosemary essential oil strengthens hair, so it's a good one. You could blend these with castor oil to make a hair mask.

There is also a commercial product called Vioxin that I've heard good reports about. But the seller of Vioxin will tell you than if hair loss has advanced to the stage where the hair follicles have died, it won't work. Still, some people have told me it works really well.

mark e. on November 29, 2017:

can i use baking soda and castor oil for hair growth?

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on September 10, 2017:

I did a little searching to try to find out about this issue. As best I can tell, castor oil is not one of the oils that is commonly extracted using solvents such as hexane. All the brands of castor oil I see for sale seem to be cold pressed, though it would be worthwhile to check the label.

Oils that are solvent-extracted are canola oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, and corn oil. It is my belief that it is a bad idea to to ingest these oils. Also, many essential oils are solvent-extracted.

While I haven't looked into this deeply, I'm inclined to think that solvent-extracted oils are fine for external use. For example, I use canola, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and coconut oils in making soaps and lotions. While organic versions of these oils are available for purchase, these are much more costly. Here's a good place to do price comparisons: https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/products/ca...

Few, if any, makers of soaps, lotions, and other products intended for external use place any emphasis on using only organic ingredients (which would be the only way you could be assured that no ingredients were solvent-extracted).

Further, there doesn't seem to be any meaningful enforcement of "organic" claims in personal care products, though there are (incomprehensible, to me) guidelines, and certification is possible. I asked the manager of my local health food store if their personal care products were organic, and he said they had no methods in place for documenting this, and that they had no "certified organic" personal care products, nor any products claiming to be organic.

I happened to look into this matter recently because I found myself in competition with another soap maker at our farmers' market, who was claiming that her soap was organic. While this is not impossible, it struck me as unlikely--plus I had my doubts that she even understood what "organic" means, or what the actual requirements would be for an organic product. This particular market has no procedure in place requiring documentation of such claims.

Some farmers' markets only permit the sale of organic products--though this is unusual. One of our local farmers' markets only allows the sale of organic products and requires that produce vendors be "certified organic," so that their regulation is taken care of by the government. Since there is apparently no meaningful enforcement of "organic" labeling of soaps and personal care products, the market masters require vendors who sell such products to provide documentation of their use of organic ingredients, and require that these products be at least 50% organic. In other words, they have adopted do-it-yourself enforcement, in the absence of any meaningful government regulation, and have concluded that 50% organic is about the best they can hope for. These people are pretty hard core, too.

Bottom line: Certified Organic personal care products for external use are hard to come by. Retailers probably do not allow organic claims on personal care products without certification. When artisans and farmers' market vendors make "organic" claims, you should probably assume this is hype and/or ignorance, and that the artisan or vendor likely does not know what "organic" means in this context.

In the context of Mary's comment, it means that, while hexane-free castor oil is easy to come by, solvent-extracted oils are ubiquitous in personal care products, enforcement of organic claims is virtually nonexistent, and anyone can claim their products are "organic" (hexane-free) without proof.

Mary on September 08, 2017:

Just remember to use hexane free castor oil, you can find at health food stores.

Anita Hasch from Port Elizabeth on August 15, 2017:

Thank you for sharing. It is so interesting that these old cures sometimes work better than expensive over the counter treatments.

Sharon Vile (author) from Odessa, MO on August 13, 2017: