How to Get Rid of Bunions: 15 Home Remedies

While it’s recommended that you get a professional opinion concerning the development of a bunion, you don’t necessarily have to opt for surgery. This article will teach you how to relieve the pain, realign the big toe joint to a normal position, and how to get rid of bunions using home remedies. Here are several tips and tricks on how to get rid of a bunion naturally and the best home remedies for bunions:

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil is nourishing and a natural lubricant; it contains 3 antioxidants including vitamin E, which has anti-aging benefits and restores smoothness and elasticity. The secret lies in massaging the bunion as often as you can with olive oil.

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Necessary Items

  • High-quality olive oil.
  • Medical tape.

Directions

Warm the oil up just a bit, as it is sensitive to higher temperatures. Use the oil to massage the foot, toes, and the bunion two times per day during 10-minute massage sessions. This method works quicker and better when also taping the bunion with medical tape after the massage to keep the toe in a natural position. As the olive oil massage stimulates the movement of synovial fluid and nourishes the big toe joint, the outer layers of the bunion formed by extra calcium are slowly dissolved.

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2. Marigold

Calendula or Marigold is one of our suggestions for how to get rid of a bunion thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredients in this plant can not only reduce pain caused by inflammation but also prevent corns and calluses. Here’s how to get rid of bunions using marigold:

Necessary Items

Directions

Crush the leaves between your fingers, then apply the resulting juice on the bunion and leave it to dry on its own. You can do this up to 3 times per day.

3. Ice Packs

Applying cold compresses, ice cubes or ice packs relieve pain and inflammation from the bunion. Anything cold that comes in handy can be used as a cold compress for bunions.

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Necessary Items

  • Ice cold pack or plastic ice bags

OR

Directions

Use the ice bag (or the damp towel after letting it sit in the freezer) as a cold compress applied directly to the bunion for 10 to 20 minutes. If you are going for the ice bag, add another insulating layer between your foot and the ice as extreme cold could intensify the pain.

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4. Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne peppers are packed with capsaicin, which can relieve pain and discomfort caused by bunions.

Necessary Items

  • 1 cayenne pepper.
  • Beeswax or petroleum jelly.
  • Bandage.

OR

  • Cayenne pepper powder.
  • Ginger root powder.

Directions

Here’s how to get rid of bunions naturally with hot peppers. Cut a cayenne pepper in half and use the two halves to rub the bunion. To keep the beneficial substances in place for longer, use beeswax or petroleum jelly and secure with a bandage. Avoid irritated skin, scratches, or open wounds, as this will only aggravate the swelling.

Alternatively, you can make your own cayenne pepper cream using powdered cayenne pepper. Mix it with ginger root powder and enough water to give it a creamy consistency, then apply on the bunion, rub gently into the skin and let it sit for 20 minutes to half an hour.

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5. Turmeric

Using capsaicin, the same active ingredient as cayenne peppers, turmeric can reduce pain and swelling in bunions.

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Necessary Items

  • Turmeric powder.
  • Cotton bandages.

Directions

Mix one teaspoon of powdered turmeric with enough water to give the paste a creamy consistency and apply it on the bunion. Use a cotton bandage to cover the paste and let it dry. The turmeric paste will soften the tissue, help to reduce the size of the bunion, and hamper its growth.

6. Aspirin

If used locally, aspirin works wonders with reducing the stinging pain that is associated with bunions.

Necessary Items

  • 3 aspirin tablets.
  • Olive oil.

Directions

Crush the aspirin tablets, dissolve the powder into a small tub of lukewarm water, and soak your feet in until the water chills. Then, wipe the water off with a towel and massage the bunion for about 5 minutes with warm olive oil.

7. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are also deemed one of the best home remedies for bunions and bunion growth as they dissolve salt deposits in the body. Its active ingredients can work from the inside or outside of the body to help with bunion pain and inflammation. There are several tips and tricks on how to get rid of bunions using bay leaves, but we’re going to focus on bay tea and bay baths for the foot.

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Necessary Items for Bay Tea

  • 1 tablespoon of (crushed) bay leaves.
  • Mason jar or thermos cup.

Directions

To make your own home remedy to get rid of bunions, crush the bay leaves and add one cup of water over the crushed bay leaves. Let the leaves cook for approximately five minutes. Move the mixture in a tight lid mason jar or a thermos cup, let it sit overnight, strain it, and sip the mixture over the next day. Repeat this for 3 days, then take a week-long break, and follow the 3-day treatment again. You will notice results after just 2 treatment rounds, and the bunion should go away completely after about 2 months.

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8. Epsom Salt

One of the main compounds in Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, which is known for reducing inflammations and relieving pain, thus being an effective bunion treatment. Also, Epsom salt has been proven to aid the decalcifying process of the big toe joint, making it one of the fastest and best home remedies for bunions out there.

Necessary Items

  • Half a cup of Epsom salt.

Directions

Pour the Epsom salt into a recipient half full of hot water and soak your feet in for half an hour. Use this home remedy for bunions once or twice per day regularly and you will notice a significant reduction in the size of the bunion.

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Necessary Items for Bay Baths

  • 1 tablespoon of (crushed) bay leaves.
  • 96% alcohol solution.
  • Baking soda.

Directions

To use this remedy, pour some baking soda in warm water and soak your feet in for about 20 minutes. Then, rub the bay paste on the bunion and put a bandage or some thick socks on to aid with absorption. Results will be seen after about a month of regular use.

Another way to use bay leaves against bunions is to use high volume alcohol for an external treatment. Cover the crushed bay leaves in 96% alcohol solution (use no more than one-third of a cup), put a tight lid on the glass jar, and let the mixture sit for one week.

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9. Lavender Oil

Even though using lavender oil to remove bunions is not as effective as bay leaves, this aromatic plant is a great home remedy for bunion pain. But using lavender oil regularly for massage can contribute to reducing the size of a bunion in time thanks to its moisturizing properties.

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Necessary Items

  • 1 teaspoon of lavender oil.

Directions

Here’s how to get rid of bunions with lavender: Heat some lavender oil as you think you will need for a 15-minute massage session, then rub it on and continue to massage it until all the oil gets absorbed.

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10. Rue

Rue is a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reliever which has been used to treat rheumatic diseases, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Therefore, it works great for bunions, too.

Necessary Items

Directions

Here’s how to get rid of bunions with rue:

Fill a recipient with warm water, and add the herb, soak your feet in for 10 to 15 minutes, and enjoy the relaxing bath which will soothe the pain and inflammation in no time. This is one of the best home remedies for bunions because it acts quick – results can be seen in 1-2 weeks – and is easy to use.

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11. Heat Pads

Both ice packs and heat pads work wonders in treating the pain caused by bunions. Hot compresses or heat pads are ideal for relieving the discomfort caused by the deformity of the big toe joint.

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Necessary Items

  • Heat pad and/or hot compresses.

Directions

Apply the heat pad or hot compress directly on the bunion and leave it on for approximately 20 minutes. You can use this whenever you feel discomfort due to friction or swollen feet. It takes the pain away in no time, leaving your feet relaxed and soothed.

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12. Ginger

Just like turmeric, ginger contains capsaicin which can help with discomfort and swelling of bunions, as well as softening the skin. Here’s what you need and how to get rid of bunions using ginger:

Necessary Items

  • Fresh ginger root, or
  • Ginger oil.

Directions

Firstly, incorporate fresh ginger root in your daily diet; you can drink ginger tea or use it as an ingredient when cooking. Secondly, massage the bunion with ginger oil for at least 15 minutes each day. You should see improvements in just a few days.

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13. Exercise

Feet exercises can aid in hampering bunion growth. Managing to reduce the progression of the bunion means avoiding surgery, the ultimate solution for removing bunions. Here’s how to prevent bunions and treat them naturally, at home.

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Directions

Stretching your big toe. As the big toe is the one that is affected by bunions, pay attention to this problematic area. Stretch it and pull it together with the other toes in proper alignment. Bunions are formed when the big toe is pushed into an unnatural position, so trying to ‘educate’ your toes to maintain a proper position is the best you can do to help yourself get rid of them.

Flex all your toes. Use the floor or a wall to press your toes against. Bend them backward, hold for 10 second, release, and repeat.

14. Chamomile

The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile can effectively reduce pain and inflammation, making it a convenient home remedy for bunions.

Necessary Items

  • Dried chamomile flowers or chamomile tea bags.

Or:

Directions

Here’s how to get rid of bunions with chamomile. Brew some chamomile tea and drink it warm, then place the tea bag or loose chamomile flowers on the bunion and secure the treatment with medical tape. You can do this 3 or 4 times a day. You can also massage the bunion with some chamomile essential oil to relieve pain and help realign the toe.

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15. Castor Oil

Castor oil, a common ingredient in beauty and personal care products, is a miracle worker when it comes to reducing bunions, relieving the pain, and realigning the toes.

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Necessary Items

Directions

Take half of a cup of the miracle ingredient, add it to a warm double pan, and heat it until it becomes thinner. Warm castor oil improves blood flow and circulation and stimulates the reduction of excess calcium deposited on the big toe joint. Then, use a cotton cloth to create a castor oil compress and wrap it around the bunion and foot as a bandage. You can also place a towel on top of the castor oil compress to prevent the oil from cooling.

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Conclusion

There are plenty of tips and tricks on how to get rid of bunions naturally, at home, but it may take a while to find the one that works for you. Approach the process with patience and don’t forget to consult your physician for more advice on how to get rid of a bunion. Did we miss any home remedy? Let us know in the comments.

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