Get medical help promptly if you have signs of dehydration, such as very little or no urine, severe dizziness, unusual drowsiness or confusion, or if you cannot keep fluids down.
Self-care guide
Acute Diarrhea
Sudden loose or watery stools, often caused by an infection. Most cases improve on their own within a few days.
Step 1 · First-line care
What to do first
Start with simple self-care. Rest when you need to, avoid things that make symptoms worse, and try one option at a time so you can tell what helps. Stop any product that causes a new problem.
Step 2 · Safety
When to get medical help
Get medical help promptly if there is blood in your stool, your stool is black and tarry, or you have severe or worsening abdominal pain.
Get medical help if ask a clinician for advice if a child has diarrhea, especially if they are very young, are becoming dehydrated, or the diarrhea is severe or not improving.
Contact a clinician if diarrhea is not starting to improve after a few days, or sooner if you are an older adult, pregnant, immunocompromised, or have a condition that increases the risk of dehydration.
Extra caution: Infants and children, pregnancy, older adults, immunocompromised people, and people with kidney disease, diabetes, or other conditions may need individualized rehydration and earlier medical review. Over-the-counter antidiarrheals are not appropriate for everyone, especially with blood in stool or fever.
Step 3 · Optional ingredient support
For relief now
These options have been reviewed for evidence and key safety concerns.
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Camellia sinensis (tea tree / tea shrub)
Used traditionally for short-term relief of acute diarrhea symptoms.
How it is used: • 1 black tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose black tea • 1 cup (approx. 250 ml) of water • Optional: A tiny pinch of sugar or a few drops of lemon juice (avoid milk, as dairy can worsen an upset stomach). Can be taken with freshly ground cardamom or nutmeg.
What does this evidence mean?
Black tea (Camellia sinensis) has a history of traditional use for diarrhea. Laboratory research found that a black tea leaf infusion inhibited E. coli O157, but this does not establish that black tea treats acute diarrhea in people.
Evidence may apply to one specific form of an ingredient — a capsule, extract, cream, or tea — and to a particular amount. Recipes and everyday foods may not match the form or amount that was studied.
Psyllium Plantago Ovata Husk
May help make loose or watery stools more formed.
How it is used: Mix psyllium husk with plenty of liquid and drink it promptly. Follow the product directions for the amount to use, and drink another glass of water afterward.
What does this evidence mean?
Small clinical studies suggest psyllium husk can make loose stools more formed by absorbing and retaining water. However, much of the research used experimentally induced diarrhea in healthy adults or studied chronic diarrhea, so evidence for naturally occurring acute diarrhea is limited.
Evidence may apply to one specific form of an ingredient — a capsule, extract, cream, or tea — and to a particular amount. Recipes and everyday foods may not match the form or amount that was studied.
Berberine Alkaloid
May help shorten acute diarrhea and reduce loose stools.
What does this evidence mean?
Clinical trials suggest berberine may improve diarrhea and shorten its duration, including acute infectious diarrhea. However, many studies were small or at risk of bias, treatments and doses varied, and much of the research in children used berberine as an enema. Overall, the evidence is promising but uncertain.
Evidence may apply to one specific form of an ingredient — a capsule, extract, cream, or tea — and to a particular amount. Recipes and everyday foods may not match the form or amount that was studied.
Rhubarb (Dried Root)
May help alleviate symptoms of acute diarrhea.
How it is used: Rhubarb root is typically used in powdered form; however, specific dosages for acute diarrhea are not well established.
What does this evidence mean?
Current evidence on rhubarb for acute diarrhea is limited and inconclusive. Some studies suggest potential benefits, but the data is not robust enough to make definitive claims.
Evidence may apply to one specific form of an ingredient — a capsule, extract, cream, or tea — and to a particular amount. Recipes and everyday foods may not match the form or amount that was studied.
For ongoing support
These options are better suited to regular or longer-term use than to quick symptom relief.
Rhubarb (Dried Root)
May help alleviate symptoms of acute diarrhea.
How it is used: Rhubarb root is typically used in powdered form; however, specific dosages for acute diarrhea are not well established.
What does this evidence mean?
Current evidence on rhubarb for acute diarrhea is limited and inconclusive. Some studies suggest potential benefits, but the data is not robust enough to make definitive claims.
Evidence may apply to one specific form of an ingredient — a capsule, extract, cream, or tea — and to a particular amount. Recipes and everyday foods may not match the form or amount that was studied.