Our new Body & Mind fasting program is based on the original method of Dr. Otto Buchinger I – a German physician considered the founder of therapeutic fasting. But what exactly is this method, how does therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger work, and what makes the program so special? We answer all your important questions.
Otto Buchinger – physician and pioneer of therapeutic fasting
As the son of a civil servant, the young Otto Buchinger I initially followed his father's wish for him to study law. However, his passion for medicine soon led him to his true calling. He changed his field of study and earned his doctorate at the University of Giessen. He then worked as a military physician in the Imperial Navy.
But as is often the case in life, everything suddenly changed for Buchinger – a severe case of tonsillitis and its resulting health problems cost him his job. He suffered from severe rheumatism in his joints, which could not be treated with the methods available at the time.
After two years, Buchinger decided to abandon his established methods and seek answers outside of conventional medicine. He ended up with a doctor friend and, under his supervision, completed a three-week fasting cure. And lo and behold: abstaining from solid food and consciously engaging with his own body led to a reduction in his symptoms – and thus to the birth of the Buchinger fasting method .
Driven by his own success, Otto Buchinger I studied everything there was to know about therapeutic fasting and opened his own clinic in 1920 to share his knowledge with others. By linking mental and physical health, he created a holistic approach that is still practiced today – including by the fourth generation at the Buchinger Clinic .
What are the distinguishing features of Buchinger fasting?
The Buchinger fasting method encompasses far more than simply abstaining from solid food. It focuses not only on the body, but also on the mind and soul, which are meant to find peace during the fasting period. Buchinger therefore referred to therapeutic fasting as a "diet of the soul." The goal of the Buchinger fast is to trigger the body's own self-cleansing processes and thus activate its healing powers.
Otto Buchinger I already used this method to treat numerous health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and gout. Even today, therapeutic fasting remains a popular tool for pausing and cleansing body, mind, and soul.
How does Buchinger fasting work?
Unlike total fasting, Buchinger fasting involves consuming approximately 200 to 300 calories daily through vegetable broth, freshly squeezed juices, and teas. Solid food is completely avoided. This method is therefore also known as a low-calorie liquid diet. The fasting period traditionally lasts between two and four weeks. Buchinger fasting is generally divided into three phases , which are also part of our Body & Mind fasting program:
1. Preparation
During the preparatory days , the body is prepared for the therapeutic fast. A light diet reduces calorie intake, gradually shifting the metabolism. At I·DO, we focus on four carefully selected raw juices for one day. Finally, the stomach is completely emptied, a process traditionally achieved with Glauber's salt according to Buchinger's method.
2nd fasting phase
From now on, only water, tea, organic vegetable broth, and fresh juices will be consumed daily. The digestive tract will rest, the body will change its metabolism and enter ketosis, in which fat reserves are used for energy. To relieve the intestines during this process, regular bowel movements are performed during longer fasts.
Otto Buchinger considered it important to pay attention to mental well-being during the fasting period . Exercise in the fresh air, self-care sessions, and mindful workouts like yoga are expressly encouraged during Buchinger fasting. Physical activity helps to clear the mind and also prevents the body from drawing too much protein from the muscles.
To support the mental aspect of the treatment, our Body & Mind fasting package is equipped with beneficial extras, such as alkaline bath salts, a dry brush and a Redondo ball.
Tip: During the first few days of a therapeutic fast, mild side effects such as headaches and dizziness may occur. These usually subside quickly – and you'll experience a fasting high!
3. Breaking the fast
Otto Buchinger I celebrated the end of the fast—the so-called breaking of the fast—in his clinic by handing out an apple. During the following refeeding days, the body is gradually accustomed to solid food again. Calories should be gradually increased: approximately 800 kcal on the first day, about 1,000 kcal on the second, then 1,200 kcal, and around 1,600 kcal on the fourth day. The body gradually begins to derive its energy again from the available carbohydrates and ends ketosis.
By the way: Easily digestible raw food is the optimal choice for breaking a fast, which is why we are once again relying on the energy boost from fresh juices for our Body & Mind fasting program.
What are the benefits of the Buchinger fasting cure?
Buchinger himself was convinced that his fasting method could alleviate numerous health problems. Both physical ailments such as obesity, high blood pressure, and migraines, as well as mental illnesses, are still treated according to his principles today.
According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE), there are scientifically proven effects of therapeutic fasting for certain conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, and psychosomatic illnesses. However, the overall data on its effectiveness is quite limited, which is why the success of fasting cannot be guaranteed and always depends on the individual case.
For healthy individuals, Buchinger fasting is highly recommended as a starting point for a more conscious lifestyle. Through conscious abstinence and mindful attention to body and mind, self-awareness and consciousness of one's own (eating) habits are cultivated. In this way, the therapeutic fasting cure serves as an energizing restart.
Who is Buchinger fasting suitable for?
Traditional therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger is used both for health prevention and for the treatment of certain illnesses. The fasting regimen is usually supervised by a doctor or carried out in a fasting clinic. This ensures that the method meets the patient's needs and is performed correctly. Therefore, anyone wishing to combat health problems with therapeutic fasting should definitely consult an expert.
To bring body, mind, and soul into balance, healthy individuals can undertake a fasting cure on their own. However, even here, one shouldn't simply abstain from solid food overnight. Special fasting packages, such as our Body & Mind Cure, make starting and completing the fast significantly easier.
Therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger with the Body & Mind fasting package from I·DO
Based on Otto Buchinger's holistic approach, we want to guide you through your therapeutic fasting program. Our fasting kit for home use includes all the essentials – from delicious juices for the preparation and refeeding days to tools for your mental well-being.
In our Body & Mind All-in-One Fasting Kit, you'll find delicious fruit and vegetable juices, such as celery juice , as well as a tasty organic vegetable broth, a fasting tea, and essential oils to calm your mind. The included fasting guide leads you step-by-step through the program, allowing you to fully focus on your health – easily from the comfort of your own home, even alongside work and family commitments.
Text: Janina Widhammer-Zintl
