Star of Bethlehem
Shock and grief, whether it happened this morning or years ago
What it feels like
The phone call, the scan result, the letter, the moment someone said the thing. Immediately afterwards there is a strange flatness, a sense of watching yourself from slightly outside, going through the motions of the day while nothing quite reaches you. Star of Bethlehem is for that, and also for the version that has been sitting untouched for years. Old shocks do not always announce themselves. They show up as a subject you cannot go near, a date in the calendar that flattens you every year, or a numbness you have simply gotten used to and stopped questioning.
Signs you might need it
- Something has happened and you feel numb rather than upset
- You are functioning normally and cannot really feel anything
- There is an old event you still cannot talk about
- A particular date or anniversary knocks you flat each year
- Bad news has left you dazed or slightly outside yourself
- You have never grieved something properly and know it
What it helps with
The numbness begins to thaw and feeling comes back. Traditionally it is described as a comforting remedy, one that helps a difficult thing settle into the past rather than staying frozen in the present.
Not to be confused with
Honeysuckle, which is the long pull back into the past rather than the frozen shock itself. Rock Rose is terror in the moment, while Star of Bethlehem is usually the quieter aftermath.
For those in great distress under conditions which for a time produce great unhappiness. The shock of serious news, the loss of someone dear, the fright following an accident. For those who for a time refuse to be consoled, this remedy brings comfort.
The plant
A low white spring flower with six pointed petals, each with a green stripe on the back, opening only in bright sun. It grows in grass and old orchards and closes up again as soon as the light goes.
How to take it
The usual way is two drops from the stock bottle into a small glass of water, sipped through the day. If you are mixing several remedies, put two drops of each into a 30ml bottle of spring water and take four drops from that, four times a day.
There is no need to time it around meals, and you can take it as often as you like. Most people give it two weeks before deciding whether it is doing anything. The full guide to taking them covers mixing bottles, timing and the alcohol question.
Often mixed up with Star of Bethlehem
HoneysuckleLiving in the past, homesickness and nostalgia for how things wereStar of Bethlehem vs Honeysuckle
Rock RoseTerror and panic, when fear has gone past the point of ordinary nerves
Sweet ChestnutAnguish at the end of your endurance, when it feels as though there is nothing leftStar of Bethlehem vs Sweet Chestnut
Often taken alongside
Blends that include Star of Bethlehem
Combinations mixed for a situation rather than for a person. Each one is shown with the reason Star of Bethlehem is in it.
- The crisis formulaFor the shock itself, the numb dazed aftermath of bad news or a near miss.
- The sleep blendFor when the day's upsets follow you to bed and will not let go of you.
- The grief blendFor the shock and the numbness, whether the loss was this morning or thirty years ago. The heart of every traditional grief mix.
- The big changes blendFor the changes that arrived as a shock rather than a choice.
- The crisis formula for petsFor shock, and for the past. The staple for rescue animals whose history came home with them.
- The pet sleep blendFor first nights somewhere new, when everything that smelled familiar is suddenly gone.
Common questions
These are about Star of Bethlehem. The questions about the remedies in general, alcohol, children, timing, live in the FAQ.
Is Star of Bethlehem in Rescue Remedy?
Yes. It is one of the five, with Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis and Cherry Plum. It is in there specifically for shock.
Can I use it for an old grief?
That is one of its most common uses. Practitioners often suggest it for shocks that were never really absorbed, sometimes from decades earlier. There is no time limit on this one, and it is never too late to take it.
Is Star of Bethlehem good for grief in general?
It is the usual starting point, particularly for the numb early stage. As grief changes shape, people often move on to Honeysuckle for the pull backwards, or Sweet Chestnut if the distress becomes acute.
Can I give it to a child after a fright?
It is very commonly used that way, after a fall, a hospital visit or a frightening event. The remedies are preserved in brandy, so most people put the drops in water or juice.
Not sure Star of Bethlehem is the one?
Choosing works by recognizing yourself in a description, so if this one only half fits, it is worth seeing what else comes up. The quiz narrows all 38 in about a minute, and the despondency and despair group holds the nearest neighbors.
Where to buy Star of Bethlehem
Bach remedies are widely stocked. If you are buying online, check the bottle says Star of Bethlehem and comes in the standard 20ml stock size.
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