In the small world of medical retreats, few approaches command the reverence and results of Mayr medicine. This isn't your typical spa weekend or juice cleanse. This is a comprehensive clinical approach that promises to reset your entire metabolism from the inside out, focusing on what Austrian physician Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr identified over a century ago as the key to optimal health: your gut.

What is Mayr Medicine?

Born from the revolutionary work of Dr. F.X. Mayr (1875-1965), this medical method is based on a seemingly simple principle: the central role of the intestine in overall health. At its core, it is a preventive and regenerative type of medicine.

Today's Mayr medicine (called "Modern Mayr Medicine") has evolved far beyond its origins and is heavily influenced by today's lifestyle. It usually combines Dr. Mayr's original wisdom with cutting-edge diagnostics, functional medicine and orthomolecular therapy. It is taught in various medical universities in Austria and Germany. And most of the Mayr medicine physicians belong to the International Society of Mayr Doctors.

The Mayr medicine rests on four fundamental pillars:

Rest: giving your digestive system time to heal and regenerate
Training: learning proper mastication and mindful eating techniques
Cleansing: systematic detoxification of the intestines, liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin
Substitution: replenishing essential nutrients and rebuilding healthy gut microbiome

The science behind Mayr Medicine

Unlike most biohacking trends, Mayr medicine is grounded in medical science. The approach recognizes that poor digestive health creates a cascade of problems throughout the body, from compromised immunity to chronic fatigue, skin issues, and metabolic dysfunction. By addressing gut health as the foundation, practitioners report improvements in:

Digestive disorders and irritable bowel syndrome
Chronic fatigue and low energy levels
Immune system dysfunction
Skin conditions and premature aging
Weight management and metabolic issues
Sleep disorders and stress-related conditions
Mental clarity and cognitive function

The best clinics for Mayr medicine

VIVAMAYR (Austria & London)

The birthplace of Modern Mayr Medicine

VIVAMAYR is where Modern Mayr Medicine was born. It is located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Wörthersee in Austria. This flagship resort combines the original principles with state-of-the-art medical facilities, offering what many consider the gold standard of Mayr treatment. Each program is completely personalised, and adjusted daily based on the insights of the daily consultation with the Mayr medicine doctor.

Their London day clinic in Mayfair brings the Mayr medicine excellence to the heart of the City.

What clients love about VIVAMAYR: the effectiveness of the method, being taken care of by the same medical team over the years, the beautiful lake

Lanserhof (Austria & Germany)

A leader in holistic cures

Since opening its doors in 1984 in Tyrol, Lanserhof has established itself as one of Europe's best retreats for holistic healing. With locations now spanning from the Bavarian Alps (Tegernsee) to the hype island of Sylt, Lanserhof seamlessly blends medical expertise with luxury hospitality and experience. The "Lanserhof Concept" has become synonymous with transformation, and Mayr medicine is one of its essential pillars.

What clients love about Lanserhof: efficient protocols, cutting-edge technology, beautiful retreats

MAYRLIFE (Austria)

Award-winning Mayr medicine excellence

Recognized as the "Best Medical Spa Worldwide," MAYRLIFE Medical Health Resort Altaussee also offers highly personalized Mayr medicine programs in the stunning Austrian Alps. Their programs revolve both around preventive and curative care.

What clients love about Mayrlife: completely personalized medical programs, the scenic lake, the quality of the Mayr medicine and treatments

What to expect from a Mayr Medicine cure

Pre-arrival preparation

As with any medical health retreat, your transformation begins weeks before arrival, when you book your program and decide it's time to invest in your health. Each clinic typically provides comprehensive preparation guidelines, including:

Gradual elimination of sugar, caffeine, gluten, and dairy
Introduction of alkaline foods
Hydration protocols
Mental preparation for the intensive program ahead

The daily rhythm in a Mayr clinic

6:30-7:30 AM: morning rituals

Your day begins with herbal teas and gentle movement. And often with Epsom salt and sometimes a spoon of virgin oil. You'll be surprised by the incredible benefits and compounding effects of these small details when you attend your first program based on Mayr medicine.

Many programs also invite you to start your day with breathing exercises and light stretching to activate your digestive system naturally. These best practices are obviously recommended in many other retreats outside of Mayr medicine, but Mayr medicine also integrates these powerful and simple lifestyle habits: without them, the body and mind often struggle.

8:00-9:00 AM: therapeutic breakfast

Gone are elaborate breakfast spreads. Meals at a Mayr medicine clinic are carefully calibrated. You will often start with a therapeutic broth, and get specific grain preparations. In some cases, you may be offered intermittent fasting, depending on your objectives, but usually breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day in Mayr medicine, and hence is here to provide your body with essential nutrients and energy.

9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Mayr medicine consultations and treatments

The morning hours are dedicated to the medical core of your program:

Doctor consultations (usually daily, sometimes multiple times)
Abdominal massage treatments: the signature therapy of Mayr medicine where trained practitioners manually stimulate intestinal function
Diagnostic procedures: advanced testing to monitor your body's response, depending on your objectives and condition, upon consultation with your doctor
Specialized therapies: colonic irrigation, lymphatic drainage, or oxygen treatments

12:00-2:00 PM: mindful lunch

Lunch is typically the second's most important meal of the day, though portions remain carefully controlled. The focus is on mindful eating. Mayr medicine clinics teach you how to chew each bite thoroughly (sometimes 30-40 times) to aid focus on the food and prepare digestion.

2:00-4:00 PM: active recovery

Nature immersion: guided walks, forest bathing, or lake-side meditation
Fitness programs: gentle yoga, Pilates, or resistance training tailored to your energy levels. Most Mayr clinics are located in areas with preserved nature and invite guests to practice in natural environment
Educational workshops: nutrition seminars, cooking classes, or mindfulness training

4:00-6:00 PM: therapeutic treatments

Afternoon sessions often include:

Massage therapy: detoxifying treatments to support lymphatic drainage. Mayr medicine clinics often have remarkable osteopath practitioners.
Hydrotherapy: healing baths, saunas, or specialized water treatments. Most Mayr clinics also include outstanding hydro and cold therapy infrastructures, a strong tradition of excellence in Austria and Germany
Energy work: acupuncture, reflexology, or bioresonance therapy, depending on the expertise offered at the Mayr medicine retreat

6:00-7:00 PM: light dinner

Dinner is deliberately light. Often herbal broths or specific vegetable preparations, depending on your program stage. This lets the gut system focus its energy in the information received through the various treatments during the day, and integrate the benefits.

7:00-9:00 PM: lifestyle courses

Educational lectures: learning about nutrition, lifestyle medicine, or stress management
Gentle movement, yoga or meditation sessions
Social time: connecting with fellow guests in treatment lounges

The Four Dietary Phases of Mayr Medicine

Phase 1: Therapeutic Fasting

In some Mayr medicine clinics, initial days involve complete digestive rest for a number of guests. In this case, they are served with herbal teas, alkaline broths, and specialized preparations to begin the cleansing process. This phase lasts as long as the doctors deem it necessary, often a day or two, sometimes more.

Phase 2: Training Diet

Introduction of specific foods designed to retrain your digestive system. This might include particular grains, carefully prepared vegetables, and specific chewing protocols. Some Mayr medicine clinics are famous for their bread, baked with particular sets of grains.

Phase 3: Gentle Expansion

Gradual reintroduction of foods, always with emphasis on proper mastication and mindful consumption. Chewing is the first thing which comes to mind when guests are asked what characterises their Mayr cure experience. And chewing indeed makes a big difference for gut health and health in general when done properly.

Phase 4: Lifestyle Integration

Learning to maintain the principles in your daily life: how to give your digestive system time to regenerate, how to keep proper mastication and mindful eating techniques, how to avoid intoxicating the intestines, liver, kidneys, lungs and skin, and how to nourish a healthy gut microbiome.

What makes Mayr Medicine unique?

Abdominal Massage: The Signature Treatment

Perhaps no treatment is more central to Mayr medicine than the daily abdominal massage. Performed by specially trained and highly experienced practitioners, this manual therapy stimulates intestinal function, improves circulation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes. Guests often describe this as both therapeutic and deeply relaxing. For some guests, it takes a few days to get used to such treatments, because the gut area can be a little sensitive.

Intensive Medical Monitoring

Unlike many other medical wellness retreats, Mayr programs involve intensive medical supervision. Expect daily check-ins with your dedicated physician, and regular in-depth diagnostic testing. This is necessary for the continuous adjustment of your treatment protocol based on your body's response: an essential characteristic of Modern Mayr Medicine.

Mindful Mastication

Learning to chew properly becomes an art form. The emphasis on thorough mastication (sometimes 30-40 chews per bite) isn't just about slowing down. It's about optimizing the first stage of digestion and promoting satiety. It's quite common to see guests realise that they experience satiety after just a few bites really well chewed.

Comprehensive Detoxification Support

The cleansing process is supported through multiple channels: herbal preparations, specialized baths, lymphatic treatments, and carefully designed movement protocols, all working synergistically to eliminate toxins.

Who Should Consider Mayr Medicine?

This intensive approach attracts a broad range of clients:

Health-conscious professionals seeking to address chronic digestive issues
Those with autoimmune conditions looking for integrative treatment approaches (some clients get their diabetes healed or at least stabilised)
Individuals with metabolic challenges including weight management issues
Anyone experiencing chronic fatigue or unexplained health concerns
Preventive health enthusiasts wanting to optimize their wellness foundation for the long term
Those seeking transformative lifestyle change with medical support

How much does a Mayr cure cost?

Mayr medicine programs represent a significant investment, both financially and temporally. Most programs run 7-14 days, with an average of 10 days. Costs start in the 5000-6000€ range per person for 7 nights in VIVAMAYR or Lanserhof. However, many guests view this as an investment in their long-term health. They also often return annually to maintain their health and condition: all the best Mayr clinics have more than 50% returning guests.

Is Mayr Medicine Right for You?

Consider Mayr medicine if you're ready for an intensive, medically-supervised approach to health that goes far beyond relaxation. This isn't a vacation. It's a medical program that requires commitment, openness to change, and willingness to invest significantly in your health.

The approach is particularly valuable for those who've struggled with conventional treatments for digestive issues, chronic fatigue, or metabolic challenges, as well as those seeking a scientifically-grounded foundation for optimal health.

Looking for a Mayr medicine retreat? Contact us today to discover which clinics and program best suit your goals.