Drinking
Plenty of water, unsweetened herbal teas.
DrinkingGuide ยท Buchinger fasting
What is Buchinger fasting? Everything you need to know
Therapeutic fasting according to Dr Otto Buchinger: its origins, how a fasting week works, how it differs from a diet and who it suits โ with a quiz.
๐ฅฃBroth, juices, tea & water
๐ถDaily movement in nature
๐งRest, relaxation & mindfulness
๐ฅGuided in a group
A conscious break
Buchinger fasting: a break for body and mind
Buchinger fasting is one of the best-known forms of therapeutic fasting โ for decades people have used it to give their body a conscious break.
During a fasting week you give up solid food for a limited time and have water, herbal teas, vegetable broth and small amounts of juice โ plus movement, relaxation, rest and nature. See the fasting week.
โ Buchinger fasting
- Holistic: body and mind
- Movement, relaxation, mindfulness
- Time for you and your habits
Classic diet
- Goal: lose weight fast
- Often calorie counting
- Little rest or slowing down
Buchinger in numbers
More than 100 years of fasting tradition
0Dr Otto Buchinger is born
0His first fasting clinic opens
0+ yearsBasis of many guided fasting programmes today
0saunasawait you after your fasting hike at the Zollhaus
More history: The origins of Buchinger fasting.
More than going without
What belongs to a Buchinger fasting week?
Contents vary by leader and programme โ typical are:
Broth & juices
Vegetable broth and fresh juices.
Broth recipesDaily movement
Hikes, walks, gentle exercise โ mindful, not athletic.
Fasting hikesRelaxation
Yoga, meditation, breathing โ to consciously wind down.
Yoga while fastingGroup exchange
Many find the conversations enriching and motivating.
Experiencing nature
Forests, meadows and fresh air invite you to breathe.
HikingStep by step
How a fasting week unfolds
Tap the phases:
Preparation
Relief days
Eat lighter at home and cut down on stimulants โ see preparation.
Arrival
The first fasting days
Your body adjusts. Hunger may appear at first and often fades afterwards โ everyone experiences it differently.
Middle
Movement & lightness
Hikes, yoga and rest โ many feel clarity and energy now.
Closing
Breaking the fast
A gentle return to food begins โ see breaking the fast.
Good to know
Who is Buchinger fasting for?
Buchinger fasting is generally for healthy adults โ not for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children or teenagers (fasting in pregnancy).
If you take medication regularly or have an illness, consult a doctor first. More: pre-existing conditions and who it suits.
Common reasons for a fasting week
- A conscious break from everyday life
- More time for yourself
- Gathering new energy
- Reducing stress
- Starting a healthier lifestyle
- Enjoying nature
Test yourself
The Buchinger quiz
Quiz
1 / 4
Who developed Buchinger fasting?
Dr Otto Buchinger โ Sabine Wacker stands for alkaline fasting.
Whatโs on the menu?
Exactly โ solid food pauses, broth and juices provide nutrients.
When did his first clinic open?
1920 โ a century of fasting tradition.
How does it differ from a diet?
Weight loss isnโt the main point (more on weight).
Your result
0Great โ now you know!
Buchinger fasting at the Zollhaus
Guided fasting โ in the forest, with warmth
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.
Current offers
Buchinger fasting dates
All prices per person in a double room. All about Buchinger fasting
07.11. - 13.11.2026Experience Fasting with Kirsten Jahns
Fasting 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.
Price from 600 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
29.11. - 04.12.2026Experience Fasting with Kirsten Jahns
Experience fasting: more mindfulness, more clarity โ a break for body and mind.
Price from 565 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
10.01. - 15.01.2027Buchinger Fasting with Winfried Knust
A soothing fasting week with exercise, nature, mindfulness and valuable inspiration for regeneration and new inner balance.
Price from 799 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
17.01. - 22.01.2027Experience Fasting with Kirsten Jahns
Experience fasting with Kirsten Jahns โ a soothing time out for body, mind and soul.
Price from 585 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
21.02. - 26.02.2027Experience Fasting with Kirsten Jahns
Experience fasting โ consciously let go, gather new strength.
Price from 585 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
07.03. - 12.03.2027Buchinger Fasting with Elke Fleps
Treat yourself to a time out with Buchinger fasting at the Zollhaus. Elke Fleps supports you with holistic care, laughter yoga, hiking and valuable inspiration.
Price from 809 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
14.03. - 19.03.2027Buchinger Fasting with Katja Pohl
Buchinger fasting with Katja Pohl โ a mindful time out for body and mind with nature, peace, hikes and fasting guidance.
Price from 814 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
21.03. - 26.03.2027Buchinger Fasting with Katja Pohl
A mindful time out with peace, nature, hikes and attentive fasting guidance.
Price from 814 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
04.04. - 09.04.2027Buchinger Fasting with Elke Fleps
A week that relieves body and mind and awakens new joie de vivre, with rest, exercise and cheerful impulses back to more lightness.
Price from 809 euros per person in a double roomDETAILS
Good to know
FAQ: What is Buchinger fasting?
Questions? Call us on +49 35057 540 or use our contact form.
What is Buchinger fasting?
A well-known form of therapeutic fasting by Dr Otto Buchinger: no solid food for a limited time, with water, herbal tea, broth and small amounts of juice โ plus movement, relaxation and rest.
Will I be hungry all the time?
Many report hunger in the first days that often fades afterwards โ it varies.
Who invented it?
Dr Otto Buchinger (1878โ1966), who opened his first clinic in 1920.
Is it a diet?
No โ the focus is rest, mindfulness and movement.
Who should not fast?
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and teenagers. With medication or illness, see a doctor first.
Conclusion
Far more than going without
Buchinger fasting is a conscious decision to make time for body and mind โ at the Zollhaus with experienced leaders, fasting hikes, yoga, four saunas and an optional detox box for your phone.
From the Zollhaus blog
Read more & try it
Ready?
Fast with us in the Ore Mountains
Guided Buchinger fasting with hikes, yoga, wellness and lots of forest calm.
