The spa at the BollAnts wellness hotel in the German Rhineland-Palatinate uses the Felke method to harness the healing power of clay.
When on February 7, 1856 in Saxony-Anhalt, in the heart of Germany, Emanuel Felke nobody could have imagined that people would still be talking about him around 100 years after his death in 1926. But that is exactly the case. Because the pastor and Naturopath developed the Felke method. To this day, for example, it can be found in the wellness hotel BollAnts – Spa im Park Application.
Felke began working towards a healthier faith community while he was still working as a pastor. He relied on simple, natural means. For example, he used water treatments, a healthy diet and clay therapies. His method thus combined four main pillars: nutritional therapy, exercise therapy, hydrotherapy and healing clay applications.
The diet according to the Felke method is wholesome and plant-based. It emphasizes natural foods such as fruit, vegetables, wholegrain products and nuts. Sugar, white flour and animal fats are avoided. The Felke method also includes regular exercise in the fresh air, such as walks, gymnastics and physical work outdoors. This is intended to promote blood circulation and stimulates your metabolism.
Water treatments such as cold and warm baths, wraps and casts activate the circulation. They're also intended to strengthen the immune system. An essential and characteristic component of the Felke method is the use of healing clay. Clay packs and clay baths are said to have a detoxifying effect, relieve inflammation and have a positive effect on general well-being.
Selbstverständlich hat Pastor Felke all diese Dinge ja nicht “erfunden”. Schließlich wussten schon die Römer über die allumfassende Wirkung von Heilerde Bescheid. Aber der Pastor vereinte sie in einer Methodology. The aim behind these measures was to Activation of the body's own self-healing powers. Felke, who was a pastor in several parishes, finally established his spa practice in Bad Sobernheim. And this quickly became known far beyond the region's borders.
Inspiriert von “Lehm-Pastor” Felke entwickelte Andreas Dhonau im Jahr 1907 rund um die Healing clay from Bad Sobernheim applications for the estate, which was still known as the Felke-Kurhaus at the time. Dhonau was the grandfather of the physician Dr. Bolland, whose family was instrumental in the further development of the Felke-Kurhaus zum BollAnts – Spa im Park nach Felkes Tod beteiligt war. Bis heute bietet es traditionelle Behandlungen mit Clay and healing earth on. Yoga, meditation, massage and Ayurveda have also found their way onto the spa menu.
What Felke suspected and observed closely is now scientifically well documented: clay has many positive effects on people. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with skin diseases and can absorb toxins, bacteria and heavy metals from the skin and body. In addition, studies have shown that clay promotes wound healing.
Some clays also have antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. People with oily or acne-prone skin benefit from the clay's ability to regulate the skin's moisture. Because clay stimulates blood circulation in the skin and underlying tissue, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells improves. This in turn supports the healing process of the skin.
BollAnts – Spa im Park
Felkestraße 100, 55566 Bad Sobernheim, Germany
Tel.: +49 6751 93390
Web: bollants.de
Price: Double room from approx. € 360,- per night
