Sarah Ferguson is known to be a lover of luxury health resorts, checking into both Mayrlife in Austria and Switzerland's Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich on a regular basis. In fact, she is believed to have visited both since going into hiding at the end of last year.
During her stay at Paracelsus, treatments such as ketamine-assisted therapy, sleep therapy and holistic approaches such as yoga and massage are available to the former Duchess of York. While the clinic offers the utmost in discretion, so we'll never know exactly what Sarah chose to book in for, she is believed to be a fan of IV vitamin drips, which the clinic says are a "central element" of their treatment programme.
© Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty ImWhat are IV drips?
Also known as vitamin drips or vitamin infusions, IV drips are a wellness practice loved by the likes of Kendall Jenner, Victoria Beckham and Hailey Bieber, to name just three of the A-listers hooked on the drips.
For the uninitiated, IV therapy is a method of delivering nutrients and hydration directly into the bloodstream via a drip, usually inserted into the arm. Nutrients travel through the body faster because they go straight to the organs, bypassing the digestive system entirely.
Paracelsus explains: "The aim of vitamin IV infusions is to address nutritional deficiencies, restore your biochemistry and support your recovery."
© Getty ImagesWhat can IV drips help with?
According to Paracelcus, vitamin IV infusions can help treat a wide range of mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders and chronic health conditions.
They continued: "Supplements and vitamin IV infusions are increasingly being used in mental health treatment, with a focus on addressing nutritional deficiencies and biochemical imbalances linked to mood disorders, anxiety and other mental health issues."
Sarah has previously said she considers her regular health clinic visits a reset, explaining on social media: "It gives me a safe place, a sanctuary. I for sure need to come every six months in order to regroup, rebalance, reset and set forth on this journey."
Indeed, after a turbulent few months, Sarah likely needs the reset offered to her, and she will perhaps feel the benefit of an IV drip after the stress and anxiety she has been through.
Vitamin drips for stress and anxiety
"If someone is low in nutrients such as magnesium or certain B vitamins, topping those up may help support normal nervous system function and leave them feeling calmer or more energised," says wellness expert Dr. Mohammed Enayat of London longevity clinic Hum2n.
Dr. Nihal Affan, founder of Doctor Style Clinics, agrees, adding: "If someone has an underlying vitamin or mineral deficiency, such as low levels of certain B vitamins or magnesium, correcting that deficiency may help support overall wellbeing and energy levels."
He continues: "Many people report feeling more refreshed or relaxed after an IV drip, particularly if they've been dehydrated or run down, but it's important not to confuse this with a treatment for anxiety itself. Persistent stress or anxiety should always be assessed properly so that the underlying cause can be identified and managed appropriately."
Dr. Enayat adds a similar caution: "Vitamin drips can help some people feel better, but I wouldn't position them as a treatment for stress or anxiety. Stress is rarely caused by one thing. It's usually a combination of work, poor sleep, hormones, lifestyle and overall health. An IV drip can be a helpful addition for the right person, but it works best alongside the habits that genuinely improve resilience over the long term, rather than instead of them."
Sarah's healing journey in Switzerland
Therapies aside, the atmosphere at Sarah's recovery clinic is likely helping her during this trying time, with the whole space designed to be calming and healing rather than a typical clinic.
Paracelsus' founder, Jan Gerber, explained the feel of his clinic when HELLO! spoke to him last year, sharing: ''Anything that feels too institutional can hinder healing. For true healing to take place, we need to feel safe and at ease."
He continued of the vibe he has created: ''When the environment fosters a sense of security and comfort, the nervous system shifts out of a heightened state of alertness, allowing for deeper psychological healing. Many of these processes happen subconsciously, making the design and ambience of a healing space more influential than we often realise.''
© GettyAs a result, ''there are always fresh flowers, and candles burning'' in each of his clinics' residences, creating an ideal backdrop for clients to undergo their recovery protocol.
On her next visit, Sarah might be able to try new modalities, as Jan hopes to offer even more healing options at his clinic in the future, but he is adamant that it will never expand too far. ''We only treat three or four clients at a time. Anything beyond that starts to feel institutional,'' he says.
''We never want clients to feel like a number, so although we will expand to add more treatments, including equine therapy and maybe psychedelic therapies, we will never expand in size. ''Treating clients with humanity is close to my heart and is the core of what we do.''
