Water-based drilling fluid composition having a multifunctional mud additive for reducing fluid loss during drilling

A water-based drilling mud composition for reducing fluid loss during drilling, the water-based drilling mud composition comprising:

• water, the water being present in an amount greater than about 90 wt % of the water-based drilling mud composition to maintain flowability of the water-based drilling mud composition;
• drilling mud, the drilling mud comprising particles, wherein the particles are selected from the group consisting of microparticles, nanoparticles, and combinations thereof;
• and
• a multi-functional mud additive in an amount of 0.8 wt % of the water-based drilling mud composition, the multi-functional mud additive comprising psyllium husk powder, such that the water-based drilling mud composition is operable to keep the particles stabilized and dispersed throughout the drilling mud composition in the absence of a surfactant,
• wherein the water-based drilling mud composition further comprises 2 parts per billion of 99% pure psyllium husk powder with 2 parts per billion of xanthan gum, 3 parts per billion of 85% pure psyllium husk powder with 3 parts per billion of xanthan gum, and 20 parts per billion of volcanic ash.