Schroth cure

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A Schroth cure is a naturopathic treatment with drinking and dry days that goes back to the carter Johann Schroth (1798-1856). It is reckoned by its followers to be part of traditional European medicine (TEM). It is offered in numerous European health clinics. Oberstaufen (see Hermann Brosig ) is an officially recognized and only Schroth spa. In addition to Oberstaufen, there are also some offers for Schroth cures on the Baltic Sea, and the original Schroth cure is also carried out in Obervellach, Austria.

The main goal of this two to three week cure is to detoxify the body, which should promote self-healing powers . A significant weight reduction is also a consequence, which is why the Schroth cure is also recommended by the providers for obesity , and also for "purification". However, the cure is not a diet in the usual sense and is strictly rejected by many doctors and nutritionists. In addition to the original Schroth cure, there are now also modified variants. While the German Schroth Association continues to represent the classic form, the International Schroth Association is the representative of the reformed variant.

About history

Schroth developed his cure method in a self-experiment around 1820 after his knee was badly injured by a horse's hoof kick, so that it remained stiff. He applied cold, wet envelopes and achieved a marked improvement. His conclusion: "Wood, fruit and wine, even meat and bones, thrive in moist heat . " Schroth observed that sick cattle refused to eat and drink little and came up with the idea of ​​transferring this principle to sick people. That was the origin of the Schroth cure. Like his friend Vincent Priessnitz , who all lived nearby, Schroth came into the reputation of being a "miracle doctor" to be, but was also the quackery accused.

The contemporary description and assessment of the Schroth cure in Meyers Konversationslexikon (1898) is interesting : Schroth cure (...) healing process in which the patient is fed for a long time with stale bread and thick porridge made from rice, semolina, millet, buckwheat groats. A glass of wine serves as a drink in the morning and in the evening, every third or fourth day the patient receives as much wine as he likes 2-3 hours after lunch (pudding with wine sauce). At night the patient lies in wet towels. The extremely annoying cure is deeply involved and, if used carelessly, can lead to exhaustion, scurvy and even death; if carefully monitored, it often helps with outdated syphilis , gout , chronic exudate in the pleura, peritoneum and in the joints, and is also beneficial for stomach enlargement.

The elements of the Schroth cure

  • A special salt-free, fat-free and low-protein diet with rice, semolina and oatmeal, supplemented by cooked vegetables and fruits as well as dry rolls, now often replaced by "cure baked goods".
  • Alternating drinking and dry days. In the classic Schroth cure there are three dry days on which less than half a liter of liquid is drunk, previously mainly white wine , alternating with two "small" and two "large" days.
  • Schroth packs or vapor wraps , in which the whole body is wrapped in cold, damp cloths overnight; hot water bottles provide warming.

The modified Schroth cure

There are now modifications of the original Schroth cure, which should better correspond to modern nutritional knowledge. They are represented by the Schrothbund and its members. The most important change is the conversion of the Kurkost according to Professor Heinrich Kasper to a mixed diet. An increase in the intake of food energy from initially around 500 over 1000 to around 1500 kcal per day is intended to prevent the so-called yo-yo effect after a diet. In addition, the hydration was increased on the dry days. The Schrothbund says: “It has been proven that extreme dehydration can have a detrimental effect on the organism (...) However, there is a good reason why the rhythmic change in fluid intake, which is supposed to represent a mild, natural stimulus, is retained. (...) The second change is the complete renunciation of high-proof schnapps. It has been proven that the juniper schnapps served so far as part of the Schroth cure does not have any positive influence on the 'dehydration process'. " (Source see web links)

Indications and contraindications

The German Schroth Association names around 20 possible indications for the Schroth cure, from metabolic disorders to gout and migraines to allergies and burn-out syndrome . Doctors doubt the justification of these indications.

Under no circumstances is a Schroth cure suitable for:

criticism

The classic Schroth cure in particular is strictly rejected by doctors and nutritionists and classified as harmful to health. The Stiftung Warentest rated the cure as "not very suitable" as a diet for weight loss.

The main points of criticism are:

  • The classic Schroth cure is a deficient diet and, due to the extensive lack of proteins, can lead to muscle wasting and loss of performance, as well as to vitamin deficiency .
  • The fluid intake on dry days is too low and potentially harmful.
  • Alcohol should be rejected as part of a cure because it puts a strain on the circulation .
  • The drainage effect is too strong.

The German Wellness Association judges the classic Schroth cure: “The almost exclusive consumption of dry rolls, occasionally supplemented with cereal porridge and vegetables, as well as the drastic restriction of fluids are an enormous burden on the metabolism. It is not advisable to do this for several weeks, as deficiency symptoms of protein, vitamins and minerals are to be expected, especially since the intake of vitamin and mineral preparations should be avoided. The low fluid intake is contrary to the present knowledge of nutritional science and is not responsible for (...) The recommendation to drink drinking days' wine, is totally unacceptable, especially since alcohol has a diuretic effect. " (Source see Related links)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Stiftung Warentest: Diets in Comparison test.de, May 1, 2005 (accessed December 27, 2012).