From naval doctor with severe rheumatism to fasting pioneer: the story behind the best-known fasting method โ with timeline and quiz.
Buchinger fasting is one of the best-known forms of therapeutic fasting today. Itโs named after Dr Otto Buchinger, a German physician who developed the method in the early 20th century.
Buchinger was a naval doctor who suffered from severe rheumatism in his youth, which eventually ended his service. Treatments of the time didnโt help โ a fasting cure did. After recovering he devoted himself to how fasting affects body and mind.
From the beginnings to today.
Otto Buchinger is born in Darmstadt.
The naval doctor falls seriously ill with rheumatism โ a fasting cure brings the turning point.
Buchinger opens his first clinic with a holistic approach of medicine, movement and rest.
His book on therapeutic fasting makes the method widely known.
The method is used in clinics, hotels and courses worldwide โ including with us in the Ore Mountains.
More about the family: the Buchinger family.
Your result
0Great โ now you know!
At Landhotel Altes Zollhaus in the Ore Mountains you fast according to Buchinger in a small group โ guided by experienced fasting leaders, with vegetable broth, fresh juices, fasting hikes, liver compresses and rest in our spa.
All prices per person in a double room. All about Buchinger fasting
07.11. - 13.11.2026Fasting is not about giving something up โ it is an encounter with yourself. This fasting week combines relief, exercise and joie de vivre into a healing break.
29.11. - 04.12.2026Experience fasting: more mindfulness, more clarity โ a break for body and mind.
10.01. - 15.01.2027A soothing fasting week with exercise, nature, mindfulness and valuable inspiration for regeneration and new inner balance.
17.01. - 22.01.2027Experience fasting with Kirsten Jahns โ a soothing time out for body, mind and soul.
21.02. - 26.02.2027Experience fasting โ consciously let go, gather new strength.
07.03. - 12.03.2027Treat yourself to a time out with Buchinger fasting at the Zollhaus. Elke Fleps supports you with holistic care, laughter yoga, hiking and valuable inspiration.
14.03. - 19.03.2027Buchinger fasting with Katja Pohl โ a mindful time out for body and mind with nature, peace, hikes and fasting guidance.
21.03. - 26.03.2027A mindful time out with peace, nature, hikes and attentive fasting guidance.
04.04. - 09.04.2027A week that relieves body and mind and awakens new joie de vivre, with rest, exercise and cheerful impulses back to more lightness.
The German physician Dr Otto Buchinger (1878โ1966).
He had severe rheumatism; conventional treatment didnโt help โ a fasting cure did.
Since the early 20th century; his first clinic opened in 1920.
Yes โ in clinics, hotels and courses worldwide, developed further.
A personal illness gave rise to one of the worldโs best-known fasting methods. The core idea โ abstaining, movement, rest and guidance โ is still relevant. Experience it in a fasting week in the Ore Mountains.
Further sources: รrztegesellschaft Heilfasten & Ernรคhrung e. V. ยท Klinik Buchinger Wilhelmi
Guided Buchinger fasting with hikes, yoga, wellness and lots of forest calm.
