Tea for Diarrhea: What to Sip and How to Stay Hydrated

A bout of diarrhea leaves you drained, and often not very hungry or thirsty. Yet this is exactly when your body needs more fluid than usual, because you are losing water and salts each time you go.

A warm or cooled cup of weak herbal tea can make drinking feel easier. It will not stop diarrhea, and some popular drinks can make it worse. Here is what to sip, what to skip, and the warning signs that mean it is time to get help.

Why fluid comes first

Diarrhea and vomiting are common causes of dehydration. The NHS lists the signs to watch for: feeling thirsty, dark yellow and strong-smelling urine, peeing less often, a dry mouth, tiredness, headache and feeling dizzy or light-headed.

MedlinePlus suggests drinking 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids a day, with water as the best choice, and having at least 250 ml (1 cup) of liquid after each loose stool. If you feel sick, the NHS advises starting with small sips and building up slowly.

What to sip, and what to skip

Water alone does not replace the salts you lose. Mayo Clinic notes that broth and soup provide sodium and that fruit juice provides potassium, although apple juice may make diarrhea worse. When you lose a lot of fluid, the NHS recommends oral rehydration sachets, powders you mix with water to replace lost sugar, salts and minerals. A pharmacist can tell you which one suits you or your child.

Skip caffeine and alcohol, which can make dehydration worse. That means ordinary black and green tea and coffee are best left until you feel better. MedlinePlus also suggests avoiding fizzy drinks. A weak, caffeine-free herbal tea, such as chamomile, is a gentle way to add fluid in between water and rehydration drinks.

What the evidence says

There is no herbal tea proven to stop diarrhea. NCCIH reports that some combination products that include chamomile with other herbs may help diarrhea in children, but chamomile on its own has not been shown to help. So think of chamomile tea as a comforting way to drink more, not as a treatment.

Mayo Clinic says probiotics may help restore healthy gut bacteria, but it is not clear whether they shorten a bout of diarrhea. Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicines can ease symptoms, yet they can make some infections worse, so check with a doctor or pharmacist first, and always before giving one to a child.

Eating again

As things settle, Mayo Clinic suggests slowly adding plain, low-fiber foods such as crackers, toast, rice, eggs and chicken. For a few days, go easy on dairy, fatty, high-fiber and heavily seasoned foods. MedlinePlus also suggests eating small meals through the day instead of three large ones.

Questions people ask

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.