Fasting cure in the Bavarian Forest
Therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger in the Ödhof
For many years it has been possible to do Buchinger therapeutic fasting at the Hotel Ödhof. It does not matter whether you want to spend only the full fasting days in our fasting hotel or also integrate the relief or build-up days in your fasting vacation in our house. The quiet and natural location of our hotel has a particularly positive effect on your fasting.
It is especially important to us that there are many motivations to work out together or to exchange ideas in the group. At the same time, however, we also attach importance to create a lot of free space for individual configuration. There is no strict program for everyone, but you decide what you want to focus on during your therapeutic fasting vacation.
Fasting lessons
What is Buchinger fasting?
Therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger has a long tradition. In more recent times, however, fasting forms are summarized under it, which are not religiously motivated.
However, the terms fasting and therapeutic fasting are often used as synonyms.

You need advice on Buchinger therapeutic fasting?
or send us an e-mail with your request to info@hotel-oedhof.de.
Buchinger fasting at the Ödhof
How does therapeutic fasting work in the hotel?
Buchinger therapeutic fasting can be summarized in a few points. Dr. Helmut Lützner (internist, specialist in naturopathic medicine and expert in fasting and nutrition therapy) describes the framework of Buchinger therapeutic fasting as follows:
- Eat nothing – drink a lot
- Omit what is not essential
- Promote excretion
- Include periods of movement and rest
- Detach from the daily routine
That means: The core of therapeutic fasting is a voluntary renunciation of food and stimulants over a limited period of time. The plentiful supply of fluids, in the form of water, fasting tea and vegetable broth, and a regular, thorough bowel cleansing guarantee that the body will survive this “foodless period” well and that regeneration processes will be set in motion.
Fasting according to Buchinger also focuses on self-discovery and awareness. Naturopaths and therapists from different fields care for and accompany you. Who experiences a fasting week under guidance in our fasting hotel, can concentrate completely on the fasting process and is safe to be cared for in all interests well and competently.
How do I eat during a therapeutic fasting vacation?
Fasting according to Buchinger can be divided into three phases. These include: the fasting preparation in the form of relief days, the fasting itself and the build-up days. A fasting vacation according to the Buchinger method in a fasting hotel usually lasts 5 to 14 days.
What does therapeutic fasting do?
The renunciation of solid food causes the stomach and intestinal tract to rest for the duration of the fasting period and healing processes can be set in motion. In addition, the sense of taste is sharpened and the feeling of satiety can be trained during the build-up days. Experience shows that fasting cures lead to lowering of blood pressure, improvement of blood values and a reduction of inflammatory values. Many fasting guests report freedom from pain in the back or joints or a reduction in painful conditions and a generally better sense of well-being. Often, an improvement in the appearance of the skin is also not to be overlooked.

What supportive measures does therapeutic fasting offer?
Buchinger therapeutic fasting can be supported in many ways. Thus, the fasting days are often accompanied by further intestinal cleansing with the irrigator and liver packs to stimulate metabolism and purification. A moderate exercise program to maintain muscles, relaxation methods and meditation to reduce stress and reflect on one’s own self, round off the fasting.
Of course, sauna, massages or cosmetic treatments also contribute to the well-being aspect. In the therapeutic fasting hotel apart from the wellness offer also a swimming pool and gym are available, so that the fasting stay becomes also wellness vacation.
Fasting and losing weight – is that possible?
Fasting according to Buchinger is not a “diet” for weight reduction. Of course, a few pounds tumble and you lose weight during a fasting vacation, because the calorie intake is greatly reduced. However, those who subsequently return to their old eating habits will quickly regain their initial weight.
Buchinger and Lützner see the therapeutic fasting therefore rather as an entrance into a durable nourishing change, to a healthy, full nourishing way of life. Therefore also the recourse to a nourishing consultation is meaningful during the fasting stay. We offer in our fasting hotel accompanying lectures and workshops on fasting topics, which should also enlighten and motivate about a balanced diet after fasting.
Therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger can help you make a perhaps long overdue adjustment to your eating habits.
How often should I fast?
Experience has shown that an annual Buchinger therapeutic fast or fasting twice a year, for example in spring and autumn, is a good idea. A fasting week in a beautiful region combines the pleasant with the useful.
Who books in Bavaria its fasting stay, finds for example ideal conditions to move in the marvelous nature of the Bavarian forest, to relax and to let the thoughts free run. Many sports and leisure opportunities in clear air and a varied environment make the fasting vacation pass much too quickly. With new energy and a regained quality of life, everyday life can be mastered well again.
What comes after therapeutic fasting?
Especially important after fasting is the slow build-up of food and a moderate return to normality. What many people tend to forget is that the intestinal villi first have to rebuild themselves slowly – so they cannot digest as much food as usual. In addition, you’ve lost weight from fasting, so less is needed overall. Therefore, the alkaline fasting or the temporary vegetarian diet after the fasting vacation is ideal. Then you don’t have to worry about the yo-yo effect.
For your health
What are the possible applications of Buchinger therapeutic fasting?
What does conventional medicine say?
Fasting has been an integral part of virtually all religions as well as medicine for thousands of years. In the religious context, the emphasis was on the spiritual aspect of fasting, i.e. turning to God and one’s fellow human beings and immersing oneself in prayer and penance. There were times, in which there was almost exclusively the religiously justified fasting, but again and again also the medical-therapeutic therapeutic fasting became again into the focus. Around 1880, the American physician Henry Tanner submitted himself to a fasting cure of 42 days. His goal was to prove that even prolonged deprivation of food need not cause damage to health. The practical physician E. H. Dewey recognized the health-promoting effect of fasting and passed on his findings. Dr. Otto Buchinger made an attempt to cure his rheumatoid arthritis with a three-week fast – with success! From his fasting experience he developed fasting according to Buchinger, as it is still used today.
Many doctors, especially family doctors, are nowadays rather skeptical about fasting. However, this is probably due to the fact that there is simply a lack of experience as far as methods, application examples or possible side effects are concerned.
There are however numerous fasting hospitals, for example in Überlingen, Pyrmont or Marbella, in order to call only some, which specialized in fasting. Also many university hospitals in Germany, e.g. the Charité in Berlin use the therapeutic fasting successfully.
Buchinger fasting is a gentle but very effective method of restoring vitality and energy to the body.
Compiled for you
Our fasting arrangements
With us in the fasting hotel Ödhof in the Bavarian Forest you have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger / Lützner with the expert supervision of our health experts. The beautiful idyllic location of our hotel, as well as the exchange with other fasting people will facilitate the “time of pause” and make your fasting vacation an unforgettable experience.