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Dietary supplement

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Flower Essence Services

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence is a dietary supplement by Flower Essence Services with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for emotional shock and trauma, grief and bereavement, stress relief.Based on those ingredients, 156 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are infusion (1:6000) of Ornithogalum umbellatum. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.

This product contains one active ingredient: an infusion of Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) at a 1:6000 dilution. The plant material is steeped in water and brandy (the inactive ingredients listed as excipients).

Star of Bethlehem is used in traditional herbalism and flower essence practice, though commercial flower essences are extremely dilute compared to the plant itself.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Star Of Bethlehem product and its label doesn't state a use — see Star Of Bethlehem's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

We hold no effectiveness ratings in our data for Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence, so we cannot tell you whether the evidence supports its use for any particular purpose.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Star Of Bethlehem

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides—compounds that affect the heart—and the plant and bulb are toxic if eaten whole. Although commercial flower essences are heavily diluted, they lack robust safety studies.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because reliable data don't exist to know either way. The cardiac glycosides in Star of Bethlehem can cause serious adverse effects when taken orally, including irregular heartbeats (cardiac arrhythmias), headache, confusion (stupor), and visual disturbances.

In rare cases, these effects can be life-threatening. Because of these risks and the medication interactions above, this product requires careful consideration before use.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Star Of Bethlehem

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Star Of Bethlehem.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 156 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take digoxin (Lanoxin) or any other heart medication, water pills (diuretics), corticosteroids, macrolide or tetracycline antibiotics, quinine, or stimulant laxatives. All of these carry Moderate-severity interaction risks with the cardiac glycosides in this product.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence carries real risks because of its cardiac glycoside content and the number of medications it may interact with. Anyone taking heart medications, water pills, antibiotics, steroids, or laxatives should check with their doctor or pharmacist before using it.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid it. Talk it over with your own healthcare provider to decide whether it's right for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 26, 2014.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence, straight from the product label.

Brand Flower Essence Services
Barcode (UPC) 782932220298
Net contents 0.25 fl. Oz.; 7.5 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 26, 2014
DSLD ID 30513
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses No Claim
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
4 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
4 Drop(s)
UPC/BARCODE
782932220298
IngredientAmount% DV
infusion (1:6000) of Ornithogalum umbellatum0 NP--

Other ingredients: Water, brandy

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: four drops, four times daily

Seals/Symbols

Healingherbs(R)

DEMETER(R)

Formulation

Certified organic by Stellar Certification Services, Inc.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Demeter-certified Biodynamic(R)

General Statements

BEST BY 03/2022 120321

FDA Statement of Identity

herbal supplement

General

120321

See for yourself

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size4 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Amounts shown are per serving.

0 NP per serving

Star of Bethlehem is a small flowering plant best known as one of the ingredients in Bach flower remedies, where it is used for emotional shock and gr...

Infusion (1:6000) of Ornithogalum umbellatum monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Water, Brandy. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence?

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Go to the checker
156Drugs
156 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

infusion (1:6000) of Ornithogalum umbellatum7 drug types · 156 drugs

Corticosteroids

Theoretically, taking star of Bethlehem with prolonged corticosteroid therapy might increase the risk of toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides. Concomitant use of corticosteroids with star of Bethlehem can increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of long-term corticosteroid use due to potassium depletion and electrolyte imbalance.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, taking star of Bethlehem in combination with digoxin might have additive effects and increase the risk of toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides with effects similar to digoxin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, taking diuretics with star of Bethlehem might increase the risk of toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides. Theoretically, concomitant use of potassium-depleting diuretics and star of Bethlehem can increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity due to potassium depletion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Macrolide Antibiotics

Theoretically, taking macrolide antibiotics with star of Bethlehem might increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides. Macrolide antibiotics appear to increase the gastrointestinal absorption of oral digoxin. Theoretically, concomitant use of macrolide antibiotics might increase the absorption of the cardiac glycosides found in star of Bethlehem and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Quinine

Theoretically, taking quinine with star of Bethlehem might increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides. Quinine may reduce the clearance of oral digoxin. Theoretically, concomitant use of quinine might reduce the clearance of cardiac glycosides found in star of Bethlehem and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Theoretically, excessive use of stimulant laxatives with star of Bethlehem might increase the risk of toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides. Excessive use of stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea, resulting in potassium depletion. This might increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tetracycline Antibiotics

Theoretically, taking tetracycline antibiotics with star of Bethlehem might increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.
Star of Bethlehem contains cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis. Tetracycline antibiotics appear to increase the gastrointestinal absorption of oral digoxin. Theoretically, concomitant use of tetracycline antibiotics might increase the absorption of the cardiac glycosides found in star of Bethlehem and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence, from the product label.

Flower Essence Services

See all Flower Essence Services products
Phone Number
800-548-0075
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services: Common Questions

Does Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence by Flower Essence Services interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence has a known interaction with 156 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm on a water pill for blood pressure?
No—check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Star of Bethlehem and water pills can both lower potassium, which increases the risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems from the cardiac glycosides in this product.
Is it safe to use during pregnancy?
No. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy because reliable safety information doesn't exist.
Can I breastfeed while taking this?
No. There isn't enough reliable safety data on this product and breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it while nursing.
What exactly are cardiac glycosides?
They're natural compounds found in Star of Bethlehem that affect how the heart beats. At high doses, they can cause serious heart problems, headaches, and vision changes.
Why is this so dilute if the plant itself is toxic?
Flower essences use extreme dilutions of plant material—in this case, a 1:6000 ratio. The idea is that only a tiny amount remains, but commercial essences have not been studied thoroughly enough to say they're completely safe, and they still contain cardiac glycosides.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Star of Bethlehem Flower Essence's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 8 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Star Of Bethlehem 8 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
  3. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  4. Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
  5. Waud RA. The action of Ornithogalum umbellatum on the heart. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1954;111:147-51. DOI
  6. Vogelsang A. Ornithogalum umbellatum in the treatment of congestive heart failure: progress report. J Am Geriatr Soc 1961;9:1096-9.
  7. Vogelsang A. Clinical trial of Ornithogalum umbellatum on the human heart; preliminary report. Can Med Assoc J 1955;73:295-6.
  8. Smith JA, Paterson GR. Rhodexin A and rhodexoside in Ornithogalum umbellatum. J Pharm Pharmacol 1967;19:221-5.

See these in context on the Star Of Bethlehem monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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